Contextual factors associated with high-intensity drinking events among young adults: A qualitative inquiry

Much of the prior research addressing risky drinking among young adults has focused on heavy episodic drinking (4+/5+ drinks in a single sitting for females/males). However, 1 in 3 young adults engaged in past-year high-intensity drinking (HID, 8+/10+ drinks in a single sitting for females/males). Consuming such large amounts of alcohol is associated with serious acute consequences (e.g., severe injury, overdose) and the development of alcohol use disorder. This qualitative study aimed to gain an in-depth understanding of contextual influences on HID from drinkers' perspectives.

We conducted individual interviews of 28 young adults (57% female, aged 20 to 25 years old) who engage in HID to assess the role of context in the prediction of HID (relative to non-HID events). Two authors coded each interview following a structured codebook and thematic analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data.

Based on identified themes, factors that may increase HID likelihood include being in larger groups or in social contexts where others are drinking heavily, having close relationships with others who are present, on special occasions, when feeling safe, being comfortable in a given situation, and experiencing intense affective states (especially positive ones). Noted deterrents for HID included friends' extreme intoxication, perceptions that heavy drinking is less acceptable in certain contexts (i.e., at work, family events) or among others present, cost/financial constraints, next-day responsibilities, and needing to drive.

Young adults identified a number of social and psychological factors that they perceived influenced their likelihood of engaging in HID. However, they also generated a number of factors that constrained this style of drinking. Understanding the contexts in which HID is most likely to occur will inform interventions that aim to reduce this high-risk behavior.