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Heterogeneous dose-response and college student drinking: examining problem risks related to low drinking levels
Paul J Gruenewald1, Christina Mair2
1Prevention Research Center, Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, Oakland, CA, USA.
Heavier drinkers experience fewer alcohol-related problems per drink than lighter drinkers. Three drinks per occasion were linked to the most problems for light and moderate college student drinkers.
Area of Science:
- Alcohol and Drug Abuse
- Public Health
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Alcohol consumption patterns vary non-linearly with the number of problems per drink.
- A dynamic model of drinking behavior suggests heterogeneity in balancing alcohol's costs and benefits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test predictions from a dynamic model of drinking behavior.
- To assess how dose-response relationships for alcohol-related problems vary with drinking quantities.
Main Methods:
- Censored regressions were used to analyze dose-response across drinking quantity subgroups.
- Data from 37,762 undergraduate college students across 14 California campuses (2003-2011) were analyzed.
- Drinking patterns, physiological problems (hangover, memory loss, overdose, nausea, passing out), and demographics were measured.
Main Results:
- The number of problems per additional drink was inversely related to average drinking quantity.
- This relationship differed by drinker age and gender.
- Three drinks per occasion were associated with the highest number of problems at the population level.
Conclusions:
- All college student drinkers face increased risks with higher alcohol intake.
- Heavier drinkers show a lower dose-response (fewer problems per additional drink) than light/moderate drinkers.
- Light and moderate drinkers exhibit a greater dose-response, with peak problems at three drinks per occasion.
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