Open AccessMost recent risky drinking session with Australian teenagers
Author(s) -
Lam Tina,
Lenton Simon,
Ogeil Rowan,
Burns Lucinda,
Aiken Alexandra,
Chikritzhs Tanya,
Gilmore William,
Lloyd Belinda,
Wilson James,
Lubman Dan,
Mattick Richard,
Allsop Steve
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.946
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1753-6405
pISSN - 1326-0200
DOI - 10.1111/1753-6405.12598
Subject(s) - context (archaeology) , alcohol use disorders identification test , medicine , environmental health , injury prevention , suicide prevention , poison control , occupational safety and health , population , human factors and ergonomics , quarter (canadian coin) , young adult , harm , demography , psychology , gerontology , social psychology , geography , archaeology , pathology , sociology
Objective : Despite declines in Australian alcohol consumption, youth alcohol related harms remain prevalent. These alcohol‐related consequences appear to be driven by a subset of risky drinkers who engage in ‘high intensity’ drinking episodes and are underrepresented in national health surveys. This project aims to investigate high risk drinking practices and alcohol‐related harms amongst young people not otherwise recorded in existing data. Methods : A community sample of the heaviest drinking 20–25% 16–19 year olds were surveyed across three Australian states (n=958; 80% metropolitan). We examined the context of their last risky drinking session through online and face‐to‐face surveys. Results : Males consumed a mean of 17 and females 14 standard drinks, and 86% experienced at least one alcohol‐related consequence during this session. More than a quarter of the face‐to‐face sample had Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) scores indicative of alcohol dependence. Indications of dependence were 2.3 times more likely among those who felt uncomfortable about seeking alcohol treatment, and less likely if harm reduction strategies were frequently used while drinking. Conclusions : It is clear this underrepresented population experiences substantial acute and potentially chronic consequences. Implications : Within the context of increasing alcohol‐related harms among young Australians, the understanding of this group's drinking habits should be prioritised.