Daily-level analysis of drinking intensity and acute physical consequences. (May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Evans-Polce, Rebecca J.; Stevenson, Brittany L.; Patrick, Megan E.
• Is Part Of: Addictive behaviors. Volume 128(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-05
• Subjects: High-intensity drinking -- Binge drinking -- Alcohol -- Young adults -- Daily-level -- Alcohol consequences; 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.2022.107246
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4603

Abstract

Highlights: Acute physical consequences occurred on more than half of all high-intensity drinking days. Blackouts occurred on almost one-fifth of all high-intensity drinking days. Acute physical consequences were more likely on high-intensity vs. binge drinking days. Abstract: Objective: We examined associations of drinking intensity on a given drinking day with acute physical consequences in a sample of U.S. young adult drinkers. Methods: Participants were past 30-day drinkers at modal age 18 in the 2018 12th-grade Monitoring the Future study who were followed up as part of a daily study in 2019 (n = 911). Of these participants, n = 489 reported at least one drinking day. At age 19, they reported their alcohol use and consequences for 14 consecutive days (n = 1051 drinking days). Daily data were used to examine within- and between-person associations of drinking intensity (moderate [1–3 drinks for women, 1–4 drinks for men], binge [4–7/5–9], or high-intensity [8+/10+]) with four acute physical consequences: hangover, nausea, blackout, and passing out. Results: At least one acute physical consequence was reported on more than half (59.3%) of high-intensity drinking days compared to 40.7% of binge and 4.9% of moderate drinking days. Blackouts and passing out were reported on 17.1% and 9.2% of high-intensity drinking days, respectively. Compared to binge drinking days, high-intensity drinking days were associated with a greater likelihood of any physical consequences (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 4.64; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.00, 10.75), a greater number of consequences (adjusted incident rate ratio [aIRR = 1.99; 95% CI = 1.16, 3.42), and a greater likelihood of hangover (aOR = 3.72; 95% CI = 1.58, 8.74). Acute physical consequences were also more likely on high-intensity and binge drinking days versus moderate drinking days. Conclusions: High-intensity drinking days were associated with a distinctly greater risk for acute physical consequences than binge or moderate drinking days.