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Heavy drinking occasions in A ustralia: Do context and beverage choice differ from low‐risk drinking occasions?
Author(s) -
Callinan Sarah,
Livingston Michael,
Dietze Paul,
Room Robin
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
drug and alcohol review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.018
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1465-3362
pISSN - 0959-5236
DOI - 10.1111/dar.12135
Subject(s) - context (archaeology) , environmental health , demography , medicine , population , psychology , geography , archaeology , sociology
and Aims The aim of the current study is to look for differences in drink choice and drinking location between a recent heavy drinking occasion ( RHDO ) and usual low‐risk occasions among those that recently had both types of drinking occasion. Design and Methods Seven hundred and seventy‐four respondents to a population‐based survey reported having a RHDO [8 + A ustralian standard drinks ( ASD ) for females, 11 + ASD for males] in the past six months also reported that their usual drinking occasion in at least one location involved less than five ASD . Drink choice and drinking locations for the RHDO and usual low‐risk occasions were compared using confidence intervals. Results The RHDO was more likely than usual low‐risk occasions to occur away from licensed premises (59%), despite a higher percentage of respondents reporting drinking at a pub, bar or nightclub on a RHDO (28%) than on a usual low‐risk night (12%). A higher percentage of respondents nominated bottled spirits (33%) as their main drink for their RHDO , with 11% primarily drinking bottled spirits on a usual low‐risk occasion; the converse was true for bottled wine (20% and 33%, respectively). Discussion and Conclusions While the high proportion of RHDOs that occurred at least in part at pubs or nightclubs was not surprising, a high proportion also occur in private homes. Previously found links between heavy drinking and beer may be a reflection of the usual drink choice of heavier drinkers, rather a choice specific to a particularly heavy occasion. [Callinan S, Livingston M, Dietze P, Room R. Heavy drinking occasions in Australia: Do context and beverage choice differ from low‐risk drinking occasions? Drug Alcohol Rev 2014;33:354–357]