Subjective drunkenness: Relation to drunk driving risk and possible utility as a novel screening item for alcohol-related consequences among college students

Background: People define drunkenness in highly subjective ways, and the amount of alcohol needed to feel drunk varies widely. One objective measure that could be useful in prevention contexts is the 4|5 standard for women|men.

Method: Measures of subjective drunkenness (SD), alcohol consumption, and drunk driving were assessed among 1034 non-abstaining students during their fourth year of college, as part of a longitudinal study that began at college entry. SD was assessed as “How many drinks does it take you to get drunk?” and later categorized relative to the 4|5 standard: above-standard (>4|5), standard (4|5), and below-standard (<4|5). Regression models evaluated the association between SD and drunk driving, adjusting for gender and including three hypothesized risk factors assessed at college entry tapping dimensions of externalizing traits (sensation-seeking, childhood conduct problems, and behavioral dysregulation).

Results: Results showed that 29% drove drunk at least once during the past year. Two-thirds (66%) had above-standard SD, meaning they needed more than 4|5 drinks to feel drunk; 20% had standard SD, and 15% felt drunk at below-standard consumption levels (<4|5 drinks). Individuals with above-standard SD were significantly more likely to drive drunk—and did so significantly more frequently—relative to other SD groups (both ps<.05), even controlling for the effects of alcohol frequency, gender, and externalizing traits.

Conclusion: Given that drunk driving is a serious concern for college students, the single-item construct of SD might have utility for identifying college students who drink excessively and who are at particularly high risk for drunk driving.