Risky Drinking Behavior Research Articles

Alcohol use, working conditions, job benefits, and the legacy of the "Dop" system among farm workers in the Western Cape Province, South Africa: hope despite high levels of risky drinking.

This study describes alcohol consumption in five Western Cape Province communities. Cross-sectional data from a community household sample (n = 591) describe the alcohol use patterns of adult males and females, and farm workers vs. others. Data reveal that men were more likely to be current drinkers than women, 75.1% vs. 65.8% (p = 0.033); farm laborers were more likely to be current drinkers than individuals in other occupations 83.1% vs. 66.8% (p = 0.004). Group, binge drinking on weekends was the norm; men were more likely to be binge drinkers in the past week than women 59.8% vs. 48.8% (p = 0.086); farm workers were more likely to binge than others 75.0% vs. 47.5% (p < 0.001). The legacy of “Dop” contributes to current risky drinking behaviors. Farm owners or managers were interviewed on 11 farms, they described working conditions on their farms and how the legacy of “Dop” is reflected in the current use of alcohol by their workers. “Dop” was given to farm workers in the past on six of the 11 farms, but was discontinued for different reasons. There is zero tolerance for coming to work intoxicated; farm owners encourage responsible use of alcohol and assist farm workers in getting help for alcohol problems when necessary. The farm owners report some positive initiatives, were ahead of the movement to provide meaningful wages, and provide other important amenities. Further research is needed to assess whether progressive practices on some farms will reduce harmful alcohol use.

A Comparative Review on National Alcohol Prevention Policies in Different Selected Countries

Alcohol, with its impact on both communicable and non-communicable diseases, is considered as the third global public health priority. Alcohol ranked third among causes of ill health and premature death, and ranked second in terms of cost among all the substances of abuse, after tobacco, even though nearly half the world’s population drinks alcohol. In most countries, where alcohol is considered as legal; governments facing the dilemma of dealing with alcohol, as they play the roles of the regulator, the wholesaler, and the retailer. In these countries, a broad unity of purpose and action has been emerged within the alcohol problems perspective, against diverse cultural, social and economic situations and experiences with alcohol at national level. The scientific basis for that perspective enrooted in a sustained global research effort. Many common features of these policies include monitoring of public health and safety impacts of policies, increased prevention programming (with a focus on children and youth and on modifying risky drinking behaviors), rigorous monitoring and enforcement of laws, enhancement of the addiction treatment and rehabilitation system, evaluation of prevention policies and programs and involvement of public health experts in the planning of future changes to alcohol policy. Many success stories has raised in reducing the alcohol problem in different countries, however, many challenges still exist. In this presentation policies of different countries on alcohol problem prevention were reviewed to provide a wealth of evidences to address the issues that policy makers are facing in terms of alcohol prevention program in Iran.

Binge drinking at University: a social network study in Belgium

Many university students engage in risky alcohol consumption behaviour during their stay at university. So far, however, most studies have relied on cross-sectional surveys and paid little attention to the role of social ties. University students, however, are socially connected, so it is likely that their alcohol consumption behaviour is also connected. We hypothesized that university students' social positions within their networks are related to their drinking behaviour. We carried out a social network analysis within a whole network approach with undergraduates in two faculties (n = 487), those of Engineering and Psychology, in a Belgian university. All students filled out a questionnaire recording their drinking behaviour and their social ties (friendship, working with, partying with and room-mate). For each individual, indicators of centrality, social capital, and cross-gender relationships were computed. We found that being socially close to binge drinkers was associated with a higher frequency of binge drinking. The risk of binge drinking increased with centrality but decreased with social capital. Having cross-gender relationships decreased the risk of binge drinking. We found indications that the effect of centrality and gender on binge drinking depends on the composition of the network. We conclude that social position has important effects on risky drinking behaviour and that the composition of the network may affect these factors. Those developing health promotion strategies could investigate the benefits of targeting central individuals in order to prevent binge drinking among university students.

College Men and Alcohol Use: Positive Alcohol Expectancies as a Mediator Between Distinct Masculine Norms and Alcohol Use.

College men are more likely to engage in health-compromising behaviors including risky drinking behavior, and experience more alcohol-related problems, including violence and arrest, as compared to women. The study of masculine norms or societal expectations, defined as beliefs and values about what it means to be a man, is one promising area of investigation that may help explain within-group differences and differential rates of alcohol use among men. Using the gender social learning model, we investigated the role of positive alcohol expectancies as an underlying mediator between masculine norms and alcohol use among college men. Data from 804 college adult men (Mean age = 20.43) were collected through a web-based assessment. Participants completed a self-report measure of binge drinking, frequency of drinking, quantity of drinks, conformity to masculine norms, and positive alcohol expectancies measures. Structural equation modeling was used to examine relations between masculine norms, alcohol expectancies and alcohol use. The masculine norms of "Playboy" and Risk-Taking were positively related to heavy alcohol use, while Emotional Control and Heterosexual Presentation were both negatively associated with alcohol use, after controlling for fraternity Greek status and positive expectancies. Playboy and Winning norms were positively associated with positive expectancies while Power Over Women was inversely related to positive expectancies which, in turn, were associated with heavier alcohol use. This study was a novel exploration into the multiple pathways and mediators through which positive alcohol expectancies may help explain and provide specificity to the masculinity and alcohol use relationship among college men.

Hosting non-university guests and party-related drinking behaviors of college students

Background: Hosting non-university guests is common among college students, especially during sports and traditional party weekends. However, the effect of non-university guests – a common social reference group – on host-students’ drinking behaviors is not well understood.Method: Data were drawn from a cross-sectional survey conducted at a public Midwestern university (N = 2951; mean age = 20 years) from 2005 to 2007.Results: Participants who hosted non-university guests tended to be younger in age, male, of white racial background, members of athletic teams, had younger ages of drinking onset, and were more likely to reside off-campus as compared to non-hosts. Host students also had significantly elevated risk for engaging in heavy party-related drinking while hosting non-university guests, and were more likely to report similar risky drinking behaviors among other party-attendees.Conclusions: Preliminary evidence from this study suggests that college-based prevention efforts would benefit from specifically targeting students who are more likely to host non-university guests.

Recent sexual victimization and drinking behavior in newly matriculated college students: a latent growth analysis.

College matriculation is a time of developmental and social change and is often a time of heavy drinking. Sexual victimization (SV) is prevalent in late adolescence and poses additional risk for problem drinking behavior. Thus, matriculating students with a SV history may be at heightened risk for maladaptive alcohol use while transitioning through the first year of college. Furthermore, victimization that has occurred close to college matriculation may confer particular risk for problem alcohol use, because the added stressor of coping with a SV while negotiating the transition into college may lead to risky drinking behavior. Therefore, examining the influence of SV timing (i.e., recency) on drinking patterns in freshman year was the aim of the present study. Matriculating undergraduates with a history of SV were assessed at six points during freshman year. Using latent growth curve modeling, we tested differences in trajectories of drinking behavior (i.e., alcohol use, binge drinking) between students who reported a recent SV and those who reported a more distal SV. Students endorsing a recent SV evidenced greater overall levels of alcohol use and higher levels of binge drinking than individuals with SV that was less recent. Moreover, the recent SV group showed significantly more variability in drinking outcomes over freshman year, with escalations mapping onto more salient periods of transition over the first college year. SV that occurs close to college entry is associated with specific and persistent risk for maladaptive drinking behavior in newly matriculated college students.

An Examination of Risky Drinking Behaviors and Motivations for Alcohol Use in a College Sample

Objective: The current study examined (1) drinking motives as a mediator of risky drinking behaviors (ie, pregaming and drinking games) and alcohol-related problems and (2) whether gender moderates the association between risky drinking behaviors and negative consequences. Participants: Participants (N = 368; 68% female) were drinkers aged 18 to 25. Data were collected from September to November 2010 and January to May 2011. Methods: Participants completed measures regarding typical pregaming and drinking game alcohol consumption, drinking motives, and alcohol-related consequences. Results: Social, coping, and enhancement motives partially explained relationships, with enhancement motives explaining the most variance for pregaming (31%) and drinking games (44%). Relationships between risky drinking and consequences were not moderated by gender. Conclusions: Drinking to enhance positive affect may be the most salient motivation for drinking related to pregaming and drinking games for college drinkers. Findings have implications for interventions tailored to students engaging in various heavy drinking practices.

The use of caffeinated alcoholic beverages among underage drinkers: Results of a national survey

ObjectiveThe mixing of alcoholic beverages with caffeine has been identified as a public health problem among college students; however, little is known about the consumption of such drinks among younger adolescents. We estimated the prevalence of caffeinated alcoholic beverage (CAB) use among a wide age range of underage drinkers, examined differences in traditional (i.e. self-mixed alcoholic beverages with soda, coffee and tea) and non-traditional CAB use (pre-mixed caffeinated alcoholic beverages or self-mixed alcoholic beverages with energy drinks or energy shots) among underage drinkers by age and other demographic characteristics, and examined differences in hazardous drinking behavior between CAB and non-CAB users. MethodsWe used an existing Internet panel maintained by Knowledge Networks, Inc. to assess the use of pre-mixed and self-mixed CABs in the past 30days among a national sample of 1031 youth drinkers age 13–20. We conducted logistic regression analyses to estimate the relationship between traditional and non-traditional CAB use and risky drinking behavior as well as adverse outcomes of drinking, while controlling for age, gender, race/ethnicity, income, and general risk-taking (seat belt use). ResultsThe overall prevalence of CAB use in the sample of underage drinkers was 52.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 47.4%–57.4%). CAB prevalence was 48.4% among 13–15year-old drinkers, 45.3% among 16–18year-old drinkers, and 58.4% among 19–20year-old drinkers. After controlling for other variables, we found a continuum of risk with non-traditional CAB use most significantly associated with binge drinking (odds ratio [OR]=6.3), fighting (OR=4.4), and alcohol-related injuries (OR=5.6). ConclusionsThe problem of caffeinated alcoholic beverage use is not restricted to college-aged youth. The prevalence of CAB use among underage drinkers is higher than previously thought and begins in early adolescence. Adolescents who consume CABs, and particularly non-traditional CABs, are at increased risk of adverse outcomes.

The Effects of Alcohol Mixed With Energy Drinks (AmED) on Traffic Behaviors Among Brazilian College Students: A National Survey

Objective: Drinking alcohol mixed with energy drinks (AmED) may be contributing to hazardous drinking practices and risk-taking behaviors among college students. In this regard, this study aimed to assess the frequency of AmED consumption in a national sample of Brazilian college students and to estimate the risk that energy drinks pose on drinking and traffic behaviors. Method: A sample of 12,711 college students from across the country was asked to complete a research questionnaire on the use of drugs and other behaviors. Students who reported drinking in the previous 12 months (N = 8672) were divided into 2 groups: (a) those who reported drinking only alcohol (N = 4192) and (b) those who reported drinking AmED (N = 1119). The college students who reported the use of at least one illicit drug were excluded from data analysis. Descriptive and inferential analyses were subsequently carried out using the R library survey software 2.15.0. The null hypothesis was rejected at the level of P < .05. Results: AmED users are more likely to be hazardous drinkers. Being male, single, and involved with high-risk drinking behaviors are associated to AmED. After adjusting for demographic and drinking variables, the odds of being involved in high-risk traffic behaviors—for example, driving at high speed (odds ratio [OR] = 2.6; P < .001) and driving after binge drinking (OR = 2.8; P < .001)—were higher among AmED users than alcohol only users (AUs). Conclusion: The current findings are consistent with the results of previous studies. Drinking AmED may make college students more vulnerable to the occurrence of risky drinking and traffic behaviors. Educational campaigns targeted to young people should be developed warning them about the potential risks of mixing alcohol with energy drinks.

Assessing alcohol use in college: is it time for a new approach to identify risky drinking behavior?

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to demonstrate how traditional risky drinking indicators, such as binge drinking, are inefficient when identifying college students who are in need of alcohol-related services. Methods: Using data collected from the 2010 National College Health Assessment II (NCHA-II), the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of binge drinking was analyzed relative to experiencing negative alcohol-related consequences in the previous 12 months. Results: Despite a considerable mathematical advantage, binge drinking demonstrated a sensitivity of 0.80 and a specificity of 0.69. Additionally, more than 56% of the sample who were identified as binge drinkers did not experience a major negative consequence in the previous 12 months. Conclusions: Risky drinking indicators constructed solely of frequency, quantity and duration items have a limited capacity to discriminate at-risk college drinkers from the general student body. New indicators comprised of novel drinking behaviors are necessary to properly identify students at high risk.

Are Certain College Students Prone to Experiencing Excessive Alcohol-Related Consequences? Predicting Membership in a High-Risk Subgroup Using Pre-College Profiles

Previous research identified a high-risk subgroup of students who experience high levels of multiple and repeated alcohol-related consequences (MRC group). Although they consist of 20% of the population and account for nearly 50% of the consequences, the MRC group has not been the focus of etiological or prevention research. The present study identified pre-college profiles of psychosocial and behavioral characteristics and examined the association between these profiles and membership in the MRC group. The sample consisted of 370 first-year college students (57% female) recruited in the summer before college. Participants reported on typical drinking, alcohol-related risky and protective drinking behaviors, alcohol beliefs, descriptive and injunctive norms, and alcohol-related consequences at three time points over 15 months. Latent profile analysis identified four baseline student profiles: extreme-consequence drinkers, high-risk drinkers, protective drinkers, and nondrinkers. Logistic regression revealed that, when the high-risk drinkers were used as the reference group, both the protective drinkers and the nondrinkers were significantly less likely to be members of the MRC group, whereas the extreme-consequence drinkers were at increased odds of being in the MRC group, even after first-year drinking was controlled for. Student profiles and previously identified parental profiles both had unique main effects on MRC group membership, but there was no significant interaction between parental and student profiles. Findings suggest ways that brief interventions can be tailored for students and parents in relation to the MRC group.

The Association between Drinking Behavior, Well-being and Late Life Alcohol Use Problems

The percentage of elderly people drinking alcohol will grow over the coming years. This research explores the characteristics of elderly people consuming alcohol, problems use and well-being.We questioned 1004 people over 60. Of the participants, 56.8% drank moderately, 18.7% showed a risky drinking behaviour, and 18.4% reported binge drinking. We found no correlation between different drinking patterns and well-being. There is a correlation between the amount of problem use and different drinking patterns. No correlation was found between the drinking patterns and well-being. Elderly people at risk and binge drinking group experienced more problem use

Trends in the prevalence of multiple substance use in adolescents in England, 1998-2009

This study examines demographic risk factors and trends from 1998 to 2009 for concurrent multiple substance use in adolescence in England. We used data from the 'Smoking, Drinking and Drug Use among Young People in England' survey, a nationally representative annual survey of 11-15 year olds. Measures of smoking, drinking and illicit drug use frequency and weekly alcohol consumption were combined to create variables representing concurrent substance use. All forms of substance use were strongly related. The prevalence of multiple substance use decreased significantly across time in line with decreases in individual substance use. The prevalence of individual and multiple substance use across years is higher amongst white young people. Males are more likely to engage in risky drinking behaviour with females more likely to smoke regularly but females were at increased risk for multiple substance use. Deprivation was unrelated to drinking behaviour but was associated with increases in smoking and illicit drug use and all forms of multiple substance use. These findings affirm the importance of continued prevention efforts targeting individual substance uses while highlighting the policy relevance of multiple substance use and interventions which target it. These interventions should be tailored for at-risk groups including deprived adolescents and young women.

Prevalence of Concomitant Use of Alcohol and Sedative-Hypnotic Drugs in Middle and Older Aged Persons: A Systematic Review

To systematically review the prevalence of concomitant alcohol and sedative-hypnotic use among middle-aged and older persons. A bibliographic search of English-language literature was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PsycINFO (January 1990-August 2012). The reference lists of all included articles were screened for additional relevant articles not identified by any of the bibliographic searches. Population-based studies in which the mean age of participants was 40 years or older were included. For a study to be included in the review, alcohol use had to be reported in terms of the quantity or frequency consumed. Data from included articles were extracted using a standardized data extraction tool. Five population-based studies conducted in North America, 10 in Europe, and 1 in Australia were included in the review. Up to 88% of men and 79% of women who used sedative-hypnotics also consumed alcohol. Up to 28% of those who consumed alcohol were concomitant users of sedative-hypnotics. Alcohol was consumed at higher levels among middle-aged than older persons. Risky drinking (eg, binge drinking, heavy drinking) was more prevalent among middle-aged than older persons. In contrast, sedative-hypnotic use was more prevalent among older persons. Our review identified a higher prevalence of alcohol consumption among middle-aged than older persons. However, middle-aged persons may experience harm from alcohol/sedative-hypnotic drug interactions due to risky drinking behavior. Despite lower levels of alcohol consumption, older persons may be more susceptible to addictive central nervous system effects than younger persons because of physiologic changes in psychotropic drug and alcohol metabolism. Clinicians should consider patients' alcohol consumption patterns before prescribing sedative-hypnotic drugs.

Access to alcohol reduction websites facilitated by primary care practices: a potential solution to the "know/do" gap in primary care

In primary health-care (PHC) settings, less than 10% of hazardous and harmful drinkers are identified, and less than 5% of those who could benefit are offered brief interventions (BIs). Delivery of BI adds up to 15 minutes to the primary consultation, constituting a significant barrier to implementation by PHC professionals. A review of trials of computer-based interventions (on- and off-line) for college drinkers found them to be more effective than no treatment and as effective as alternative treatment approaches. The recent large-scale trial of the online Down Your Drink (DYD) intervention found potentially significant reductions in alcohol consumption and risky drinking behavior, but there was evidence that users of the DYD website made only relatively limited use of it (average, 2.33 visits). Facilitated access by professionals in PHC settings could not only increase patient engagement but also address the know/do” gap in PHC by removing the need for providers to deliver a time-consuming face-to-face intervention. The University College of London eHealth team has undertaken an exploratory qualitative study using interviews and participant observation of facilitated access to DYD at PHC practices in two London localities (Kingston and Islington) to assess acceptability and uptake. Preliminary results suggest good levels of acceptability and uptake of facilitated access to DYD. Findings are presented together with proposals for a noninferiority international randomized controlled trial to determine whether there is similarity in outcomes in patients identified as risky drinkers who receive facilitated access to an alcohol reduction website and those who receive conventional face-to-face BIs. Research is needed to determine whether PHC-based facilitated access to alcohol reduction websites can reduce the know/do gap in primary-care alcohol screening and intervention.

Cultural considerations: alcohol screening and brief intervention in a southern US level-1 trauma center

This presentation addressed cultural considerations and sensitivities particularly relevant to the southern US when providing alcohol screening and brief intervention (SBI) to individuals demonstrating risky drinking behavior. Broader implications for education and training were also reviewed. The literature has begun to identify key issues pertaining to cultural sensitivities and considerations for successful change work with individuals. Key lessons learned about cultural considerations pertaining to alcohol SBI in one trauma center in the southern US were presented. Information included in the presentation was based on three years of alcohol SBI provided by counselors and doctoral and masters level student interns in a level-I medical trauma center. Implications regarding training SBI providers in cultural sensitivity were also discussed. To maximize an individual's acceptance of alcohol SBI, key cultural considerations may be implemented. In addition, educating and training SBI providers to enhance their cultural sensitivity is recommended.

Life‐time drinking course of driving‐while‐impaired offenders

This retrospective study compared drinking histories of 283 men and 413 women convicted of driving while impaired (DWI) in New Mexico and interviewed 15 years following a first conviction and screening referral. We characterized drinking course and plotted drinking status (stable abstainers, abstainers, moderate or risky drinkers) from age 15 to 60 years. Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Community sample of previously convicted DWI offenders. Psychiatric disorders from the Comprehensive International Diagnostic Interview; drinking histories from the Cognitive Lifetime Drinking History. Risky drinking was prevalent at all ages for both genders. Almost half the population reported either a life-time drinking course of risky drinking (19%) or resumed risky drinking after at least one interval of abstinence or moderate drinking (25%), while about one-fifth followed a never risky or risky to moderate drinking course. Offenders with a life-time diagnosis of substance dependence more often transitioned to risky drinking, and those with life-time alcohol dependence were more prone to transition to abstinence. Across time, those who began risky drinking at age 15 years or later quit at double the rate of those who began before age 15 years. Women's and men's drinking courses were similar, but women began risky drinking at a later age and moved to abstinence more often. Among people convicted of driving while impaired in the United States, younger age of initiation of drinking and co-occurrence of psychiatric and substance use appear to be associated with a poorer trajectory of subsequent risky drinking behaviour. Women who are convicted of driving while impaired appear to start drinking later in life and be more likely to subsequently become abstainers.

Prevalence and Correlates of Drinking in Early Pregnancy Among Women who Stopped Drinking on Pregnancy Recognition

Women of child bearing age that regularly drink alcohol are at risk for drinking in early pregnancy. Evidence indicates a majority of women stop alcohol consumption on pregnancy recognition. However, there is a dearth of studies reporting on patterns and correlates of drinking in early pregnancy prior to stopping on pregnancy recognition, which the current study aims to address. In 2005, a New Zealand nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted on a random sample of 1,256 women aged 16-40 years. Data were collected via an interviewer-administered questionnaire using a web-assisted telephone interviewing system. Of the 1,256 women who participated, 127 (10 %) were currently pregnant and 425 women (34 %) were previously pregnant. Half of currently pregnant women and 37 % of previously pregnant women reported that they ceased drinking on recognising pregnancy. Women categorised as "risky drinkers" and those aged 16-24 years had higher odds to drink and binge drink in early pregnancy, compared with non-risky drinkers and women of other age categories respectively. A majority of women stop alcohol consumption on pregnancy recognition but prior to this, drink at levels posing a risk for the developing foetus. Women most at risk for drinking and binge drinking in early pregnancy were younger in age and exhibited risky drinking behaviour prior to pregnancy. A targeted intervention to reduce the risk for an alcohol exposed pregnancy is warranted for sexually active younger women in New Zealand and elsewhere.

Gender differences in drinking patterns and alcohol-related problems in a community sample in São Paulo, Brazil

OBJECTIVE:To investigate drinking patterns and gender differences in alcohol-related problems in a Brazilian population, with an emphasis on the frequency of heavy drinking.METHODS:A cross-sectional study was conducted with a probability adult household sample (n = 1,464) in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. Alcohol intake and ICD-10 psychopathology diagnoses were assessed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview 1.1. The analyses focused on the prevalence and determinants of 12-month non-heavy drinking, heavy episodic drinking (4-5 drinks per occasion), and heavy and frequent drinking (heavy drinking at least 3 times/week), as well as associated alcohol-related problems according to drinking patterns and gender.RESULTS:Nearly 22% (32.4% women, 8.7% men) of the subjects were lifetime abstainers, 60.3% were non-heavy drinkers, and 17.5% reported heavy drinking in a 12-month period (26.3% men, 10.9% women). Subjects with the highest frequency of heavy drinking reported the most problems. Among subjects who did not engage in heavy drinking, men reported more problems than did women. A gender convergence in the amount of problems was observed when considering heavy drinking patterns. Heavy and frequent drinkers were twice as likely as abstainers to present lifetime depressive disorders. Lifetime nicotine dependence was associated with all drinking patterns. Heavy and frequent drinking was not restricted to young ages.CONCLUSIONS:Heavy and frequent episodic drinking was strongly associated with problems in a community sample from the largest city in Latin America. Prevention policies should target this drinking pattern, independent of age or gender. These findings warrant continued research on risky drinking behavior, particularly among persistent heavy drinkers at the non-dependent level.

Through the drinking glass: an analysis of the cultural meanings of college drinking

College drinking and its adverse consequences on students' health and safety are important public health concerns in the USA. Thus far, there is little attention on exploring and addressing the cultural dimensions of college drinking. This study examines the construction of meaning of drinking among students to understand their perspectives of the college drinking culture. From an analysis of a purposive sample of 232 US college newspaper articles covering alcohol-related news and associated readers’ responses, the study identified five major insights in the cultural meanings of college drinking: (1) drinking is central to the US college experience although this can and should change; (2) drinking has significant social and functional meanings to students' identities; (3) heavy drinking derives from a culture of risk taking; (4) college drinking is highly scripted and ritualized; and (5) various social motives drive students' drinking. The first implication for practice and research of college drinking prevention is that a cultural lens viewing drinking as socially and developmentally meaningful may contribute toward theorizing why students continue to drink heavily despite decades of multi-level interventions. Second, approaches that respect and incorporate students' meaning making of drinking may be hypothesized as viable and effective alternatives to existing interventions for reducing risky drinking behaviors.