Recorded presentation

Jason Bond, PhD¹, Thomas K. Greenfield, PhD¹, Rachael Korcha, MS², and William C. Kerr, PhD¹. (1) Alcohol Research Group, 2000 Hearst Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94709, 510-642-5208, jbond@arg.org, (2) Alcohol Research Group, Public Health Institute, 2000 Hearst Ave., Suite 300, Berkeley, CA 94709-2130

Problem: Although the characteristics of beer drinkers consuming malt liquor has recently received attention, study of drinking patterns of these individuals and attitudes towards heavy drinking or drunkenness have received little attention. Methods and Measures: The National Alcohol Survey conducted by telephone in 2000/2001 and represented all 50 US states, collected over-samples of African-Americans and Hispanics. Beer drinkers (n=3,018) were asked the proportion of the time they drank malt liquor (defined as “higher strength beer”, with brand examples). Results: Compared to beer only drinkers, those drinkers consuming malt liquor ‘once in a while’ or more often require more drinks to feel drunk (p<.001); however, no difference remained when controlling for demographics associated with use (including gender, ethnicity, age, marital status, religiosity, education, and employment) suggesting those beer drinkers choosing malt liquor may have higher tolerance. After controlling for the demographic factors, and including volume of consumption, malt liquor drinkers reported higher frequencies of drunkenness in the past year (p<.001), more acceptance of drunkenness across 9 assessed situations (p<.01), higher usual quantities of consumption (p=.05) and, marginally, higher peak rates of consumption (p=.06). Conclusions: Previous studies have found that malt liquor drinkers tend to have higher overall volumes. The greater frequency of drunkenness observed here is consistent with more acceptance of drunkenness and possibly faster drinking of larger amounts. These findings suggest that social marketing campaigns aimed at reducing the attractiveness of the inebriated state could play an important role in alcohol harm reduction.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the presentation participants should be more aware of the US distributions of various drunkenness measures, how attitudes towards drinking and drunkenness vary between beer drinkers and malt liquor drinkers, and the prevention and policy implications.

Keywords: Alcohol Problems, Public Health Policy

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation