Pre-game drinking among young adults and its association with positive and negative alcohol consequences. (January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Calhoun, Brian H.; Linden-Carmichael, Ashley N.
• Is Part Of: Addictive behaviors. Volume 124(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-01
• Subjects: Alcohol -- Young adults -- Pre-gaming -- Alcohol-related consequences -- Daily diary; Substance abuse -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; Drug addiction -- Periodicals; Nicotine addiction -- Periodicals; Smoking -- Periodicals; Gambling -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 362.29
• DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2021.107120
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4603

Abstract

Highlights: This study examined daily associations between pre-gaming and alcohol consequences. Pre-gaming was linked with positive consequences when alcohol use was controlled. Pre-gaming was not linked with negative consequences independent of alcohol use. Abstract: Background: Pre-gaming, or drinking before going out, is common among young adults and associated with heavier drinking and negative consequences. However, findings have been mixed as to whether a unique, day-level association between pre-gaming and negative consequences exists independent of alcohol intake. It is also unknown whether young adults experience more positive consequences of alcohol use on days they engage in pre-gaming. This study tested day-level associations between pre-gaming and positive and negative consequences, controlling for same-day alcohol intake, as well as whether these associations were moderated by person- and day-level variables. Methods: Participants were 148 young adult heavy drinkers ( M age = 20.30, SD age = 1.45, 57.4% female) who reported past-month simultaneous alcohol and marijuana use. For up to 14 consecutive days, participants completed electronic surveys asking about their drinking behaviors and consequences the previous day. Results: Prior to adjusting for alcohol intake, Poisson multilevel models showed that participants reported more negative and positive consequences on days they pre-gamed and those who reported pre-gaming more often throughout the study also experienced more negative and positive consequences overall. After controlling for alcohol intake, a positive, day-level association between pre-gaming and positive consequences remained. There was no evidence of moderation of study associations by person- or day-level variables. Conclusion: The unique association between pre-gaming and positive consequences may help explain why pre-gaming is linked with heavy drinking and other risky behaviors as positive consequences have been shown to reinforce such behaviors. Findings suggest pre-gaming may be a useful intervention point for alcohol reduction programs.