TY - JOUR
T1 - Environmental contexts of combined alcohol and energy drink use
T2 - Associations with intoxication in licensed venues
AU - Droste, Nicolas
AU - Miller, Peter
AU - Pennay, Amy
AU - Zinkiewicz, Lucy
AU - Lubman, Dan I.
PY - 2016/10/1
Y1 - 2016/10/1
N2 - Background Environmental factors inside licensed venues have been found to influence the intoxication levels and consumption practices of patrons. The consumption of alcohol mixed with energy drinks (AmED) occurs primarily at or prior to attending licensed venues, however there is a lack of in situ research investigating AmED use in these contexts. Given that AmED use has been linked with increased alcohol consumption, intoxication, illicit substance use, and risk taking behaviours, this paper explores the environmental correlates and levels of intoxication associated with AmED use in licensed venues. Methods Structured observations were undertaken in five Australian cities on Friday and Saturday nights. Covert teams spent 4–5 h in venues and recorded hourly observations on patron, venue, and staff characteristics, alcohol, illicit drug and AmED consumption patterns and intoxication levels. Results 898 hourly observations were recorded across 68 venues. All but one venue served energy drinks, and patron AmED use was observed during 34.9% of hourly records. AmED use was more prevalent after 12am and in nightclub venues compared to bars and pubs, and was positively associated with high intoxication levels, illicit drug use, and younger crowds. After controlling for environmental factors (i.e. venue crowding, service practices, venue characteristics, patron demographics and behaviour) AmED use did not predict high intoxication at a venue level in multivariable models. Conclusion AmED consumption is ubiquitous in the licensed venues of Australian night-time entertainment districts, particularly busy nightclub venues where intoxication and risky consumption are heightened. However, AmED use was not associated with high patron intoxication when environmental factors were considered.
AB - Background Environmental factors inside licensed venues have been found to influence the intoxication levels and consumption practices of patrons. The consumption of alcohol mixed with energy drinks (AmED) occurs primarily at or prior to attending licensed venues, however there is a lack of in situ research investigating AmED use in these contexts. Given that AmED use has been linked with increased alcohol consumption, intoxication, illicit substance use, and risk taking behaviours, this paper explores the environmental correlates and levels of intoxication associated with AmED use in licensed venues. Methods Structured observations were undertaken in five Australian cities on Friday and Saturday nights. Covert teams spent 4–5 h in venues and recorded hourly observations on patron, venue, and staff characteristics, alcohol, illicit drug and AmED consumption patterns and intoxication levels. Results 898 hourly observations were recorded across 68 venues. All but one venue served energy drinks, and patron AmED use was observed during 34.9% of hourly records. AmED use was more prevalent after 12am and in nightclub venues compared to bars and pubs, and was positively associated with high intoxication levels, illicit drug use, and younger crowds. After controlling for environmental factors (i.e. venue crowding, service practices, venue characteristics, patron demographics and behaviour) AmED use did not predict high intoxication at a venue level in multivariable models. Conclusion AmED consumption is ubiquitous in the licensed venues of Australian night-time entertainment districts, particularly busy nightclub venues where intoxication and risky consumption are heightened. However, AmED use was not associated with high patron intoxication when environmental factors were considered.
KW - Alcohol
KW - Energy drinks
KW - Intoxication
KW - Licensed venues
KW - Nightlife
KW - Observational research
KW - Stimulants
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84980332381&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.drugpo.2016.06.016
DO - 10.1016/j.drugpo.2016.06.016
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84980332381
VL - 36
SP - 58
EP - 66
JO - International Journal of Drug Policy
JF - International Journal of Drug Policy
SN - 0955-3959
ER -