More than 17,000 Americans die annually in alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes (ARMVC) and many more are injured. Purpose: The specific aim of the study was to determine if drinking patterns on the days immediately prior to an ARMVC were significantly different than those in the weeks prior to the crash. Theoretical Framework: Crisis intervention theory suggests that an alcohol-related crash offers a teachable moment to change drinking behaviors. A change in drinking patterns can serve as a warning that higher risk for injury exists. Subjects: Following an ARMVC, 187 hospitalized non-alcohol dependent young-adults were enrolled. Mean age was 29.03 and mean blood alcohol level was 165.18. Method: Subjects were interviewed to determine the quantity/frequency of standard drinks during the 28 days prior to the crash. Drinks/day was determined, with day 1 considered 4 weeks prior to the crash and day 28 the day of the crash. Results: A random-intercepts general linear mixed model was used to test the effect of several covariates (segment 1 (days 1-26), segment 2 (days 27-28), age, sex, race, holiday/non-holiday period, driver/passenger status, and weekend/weekday crash) on standard drinks/day. Results indicated no significant interactions among the covariates. The only significant predictors of drinks/day were segment 2 (b=.322, p < .0001) and gender (b=-.221 p=.016). The positive, statistically significant slope for segment 2 indicated an increase in consumption of drinks/day in the two-day period prior to the ARMVC and the negative slope for sex indicated greater consumption of drinks/day for men than women. Conclusions: We found that persons injured in an ARMVC have a significant increase in alcohol consumption on the day before and the day of vehicular crashes as compared to the first 26 days preceding the crash. This information can be used in targeted interventions to reduce risky drinking.
Session #1189 - Addiction: Alcohol & Tobacco Use
The 29th Annual MNRS Research Conference (April 1-4, 2005)