151334 Factors associated with alcohol use and its consequences

Monday, November 5, 2007

Marshall Dean Alameida, PhD, RN, CNS , Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Charlene Harrington, PhD, RN, FAAN , Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Mitch LaPlante, PhD , Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Joseph Mullan, PhD , Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Taewoon Kang, PhD , Dept. of Social & Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Linda Chafetz, DNS, RN , Department of Community Health Systems, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Abstract Design and Methods: This study examined secondary data from a national probability survey – the NSDUH in 2003 which was weighted to represent 212,686,651 community-dwelling adults 18 and older. Multivariate analyses were used to examine selected factors associated with alcohol use. This study first examined a subset of variables to understand trait (socio-demographic) factors and drug use in relation to alcohol use considering a number of different measures of alcohol use (frequency and quantity). The relationship of trait factors and alcohol use on alcohol disablement, alcohol risk behavior, alcohol abuse/dependence, and alcohol treatment was also examined. Findings: The data showed that alcohol problems occur at levels less than 10 drinks per month. The consequences were that 16,516,050 persons self-reported emotional or physical or role function problems due to alcohol, with 10,701,870 drinking and engaging in dangerous activities and 30,711,740 drinking and driving. Approximately 15,618,070 incurred a need for alcohol treatment that was not met. Discussion: Male gender and drug use were the strongest predictors of the quantity of alcohol consumption, which was a strong predictor for disablement, risk behavior and alcohol abuse/dependence. Disablement and risk behaviors predicted alcohol treatment; however, alcohol treatment occurs after individuals have very high alcohol consumption levels. Self reported alcohol problems occur at levels that are below those levels that are recommended for safe consumption. A large treatment gap exists that underscores current problem drinkers are not receiving treatment. Summary: The policy implications are that the recommended guidelines for alcohol use are in need of review.

Learning Objectives:
Learner Objectives Cognitive Domain: The learner will recall the studies’ reported relationships between alcohol use levels and alcohol disablement, risk behavior and treatment, at the conclusion of the presentation. Affective Domain: The learner will discuss the implications of the study findings as they relate to current, recommended levels of alcohol use, at the conclusion of the presentation. Psychomotor Domain: The learner will perceive the policy implications of the studies’ findings as they relate to the need for review of recommended levels of alcohol use, at the conclusion of the presentation.

Keywords: Alcohol Problems, Alcohol Use

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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