Projects per year
Abstract
ABSTRACT: Background: Pre-drinking has been linked to subsequent heavy drinking and the engagement in multiple risky behaviors. Objectives: The present study examined a group of adolescents who recently had a “big night out” to determine whether there were differences in their pre-drinking behavior based on age, gender, geographic location, and social setting. Methods: Participants (n = 351, aged 16–19) representing the heaviest 20–25% of drinkers in their age group were recruited using nonrandom sampling from metropolitan (Melbourne, Sydney, Perth) or regional (Bunbury) locations across Australia and administered a survey by a trained interviewer. Results: Almost half the sample pre-drank (n = 149), most commonly at a friend’s house. Those aged 18–19 were more likely to pre-drink, and did so at higher quantities compared to their younger counterparts. Males and females reported similar pre-drinking duration, quantity and amount spent on alcohol. Compared to those in cities, regional participants consumed greater quantities over longer periods of time. Two-thirds of participants consumed alcohol in excess of national guidelines during their pre-drinking session. These participants were more likely to nominate price as a motivation to pre-drink and were less likely to report that someone else provided them alcohol. Conclusions: This study sheds light on the pre-drinking habits of a population of young risky drinkers, and highlights the need for policy makers to address this form of drinking to reduce alcohol-related harm among young people.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1297-1306 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Substance Use and Misuse |
Volume | 51 |
Issue number | 10 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 23 Aug 2016 |
Keywords
- Alcohol
- pre-drinking
- risky drinking
- youth
Projects
- 1 Finished
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Young Australians alcohol reporting system
Allsop, S. J., Mattick, R., Lubman, D., Burns, L., Chikritzhs, T. N., Gilmore, W. & Lloyd, B.
Australian National Preventive Health Agency
1/07/12 → 31/12/13
Project: Research