Side-loading prevalence and intoxication in the night-time economy

Prior research has shown that pre-drinking is a well-documented behavior in the night-time economy. However, side-loading—drinking outside licensed venues during a night out—remains a less explored phenomenon. It was already known that alcohol consumption patterns vary across different social and spatial contexts. Yet, no prior work had resolved the extent to which side-loading occurs and its relationship to intoxication levels. This gap motivated the need to examine side-loading as a distinct behavior. The uncertainty around whether side-loading is primarily used to increase intoxication or to maintain a desired level has not been fully addressed. Existing studies have focused on pre-drinking and home drinking, leaving side-loading understudied. This paper contributes by investigating the prevalence and characteristics of side-loading in a specific urban setting. The lack of data on this behavior in public spaces highlights a need for targeted research.

The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of side-loading behavior and its association with intoxication levels in the night-time economy of Hamilton, New Zealand. Side-loading is defined as drinking outside licensed premises during a night out, excluding home drinking. The specific problem addressed is the lack of empirical data on this behavior and its implications for public health and policy. The motivation for the study stems from the need to understand how alcohol is consumed in public spaces outside traditional venues. No prior work had resolved the motivations or outcomes of side-loading. The study sought to determine whether side-loading is linked to higher intoxication levels compared to pre-drinking. The research also aimed to identify where and how frequently side-loading occurs. This information could inform interventions targeting alcohol-related harms in urban environments.

The study used a street-intercept survey conducted over six nights in March and April 2019 in Hamilton, New Zealand. The survey collected data from 469 participants during the night-time economy. Participants were asked about their alcohol consumption behaviors, including whether they engaged in side-loading. Breath alcohol content was measured using a breathalyzer device. The study controlled for variables such as time of night, day of the week, and demographic factors. Data were analyzed using linear regression models to assess the relationship between side-loading and breath alcohol content. The survey was conducted in public spaces to capture real-time drinking behaviors. The methodology allowed for comparison between side-loading and pre-drinking behaviors.

Of the 469 participants surveyed, 17.5% (82/469) reported engaging in side-loading behavior. Among drinkers, the proportion was slightly higher at 19.9% (82/413). The majority of side-loading occurred in a car (61.0%), followed by the street (17.1%) and carpark (12.2%). Men were significantly more likely than women to engage in side-loading (p = 0.001). In linear models controlling for time of night, day of the week, and demographics, side-loading was not significantly associated with breath alcohol content. This contrasts with pre-drinking, which was linked to significantly higher breath alcohol levels. The findings suggest that side-loading may not be used to increase intoxication but to maintain a target level. The study provides evidence that side-loading is a common behavior in the night-time economy.

The authors propose that side-loading is not primarily used to enhance intoxication but to maintain a desired level of alcohol consumption during a night out. The study found no statistically significant association between side-loading and breath alcohol content. This contrasts with pre-drinking, which was associated with higher intoxication levels. The results suggest that side-loading may serve a different function in the night-time economy. The authors highlight that men are more likely to engage in side-loading than women. The study contributes to understanding alcohol consumption patterns in public spaces. The findings may inform future research on the motivations and consequences of side-loading. The authors suggest that further work is needed to explore the broader implications of this behavior.