And then I blacked out - A qualitative interview study on alcohol intoxication events in adolescents under 18 years...

Understanding the mechanisms influencing alcohol consumption in adolescents is crucial for developing effective strategies to minimize alcohol intoxication in this age group. This study seeks to explore the experiences of adolescents who have experienced an alcohol intoxication, aiming to better understand their motivations and inform the development of improved prevention strategies.

The study involved adolescents under 18 years old admitted for an alcohol intoxication at Reinier de Graaf Gasthuis in Delft, The Netherlands. Data from 24 semi-structured interviews, part of the "Youth and Alcohol" outpatient clinic's standardized follow-up program, were analysed. In-depth interviews were conducted 1-2 months after the intoxication event.

Four key themes emerged from the interviews: (1) Context of alcohol consumption, (2) alcohol consumption patterns, (3) consequences of the alcohol intoxication event, and (4) reflections on the alcohol intoxication event and recommendations for preventive measures. A common observation was that many adolescents reported not recognizing when they became intoxicated, often describing a "black-out" experience. During the alcohol intoxication event, they often consume spirits in the evening/night, typically in social settings with friends, motivated by social and enhancement drinking motives. The adolescents who participated emphasised the importance of alcohol education, stricter advertising regulations, and stronger enforcement of alcohol laws as key measures to reduce alcohol intoxication and mitigating alcohol's harmful consequences in their population.

This study provides valuable insights into alcohol consumption patterns and consequences in adolescents who had an alcohol intoxication. It underscores the need for tailored prevention strategies, suggested by the adolescents themselves, to effectively reduce alcohol intoxication in adolescents.