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A comparative study of blood alcohol concentrations in Australian night-time entertainment districts
Miller, Peter Pennay, Amy Droste, Nicholas Butler, Erin Jenkinson, Rebecca Hyder, Shannon Quinn, Brendan Chikritzhs, Tanya Tomsen, Stephen Wadds, Phillip
Miller, Peter
Pennay, Amy
Droste, Nicholas
Butler, Erin
Jenkinson, Rebecca
Hyder, Shannon
Quinn, Brendan
Chikritzhs, Tanya
Tomsen, Stephen
Wadds, Phillip
Abstract
Introduction and Aims
There is little research describing how intoxication levels change throughout the night in entertainment districts. This research aims to describe levels of alcohol intoxication across multiple Australian metropolitan and regional nightlife districts. Design and Methods
This study was conducted in the night‐time entertainment districts of three metropolitan cities (Sydney, Melbourne and Perth) and two regional cities (Wollongong and Geelong) in Australia. Data collection occurred approximately fortnightly in each city on a Friday or Saturday night between 8 pm and 5 am. Brief structured interviews (3–10 min) and breathalyser tests were undertaken in busy thoroughfares over six months. Results
Of the 7037 individuals approached to participate in the study, 6998 [61.8% male, mean age 24.89 years (standard deviation 6.37; range 18–73)] agreed to be interviewed. There was a linear increase in blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels throughout the night. Post hoc testing revealed significantly more highly intoxicated participants (i.e. BAC above 0.10 mg of alcohol per 100 mL of blood) after midnight (P < 0.05). The overall mean BAC was 0.06 mg/100 mL. Men were more intoxicated than women earlier in the night, but gender differences disappeared by 3 am. There was no age differences in intoxication earlier in the night, but after midnight, patrons over the age of 21 showed increasing BAC levels. Discussion and Conclusions
There is a consistent trend across the cities of high to very high levels of intoxication later in the night, with trends after midnight being significantly different to those before. [Miller P, Pennay A, Droste N, Butler E, Jenkinson R, Hyder S, Quinn B, Chikritzhs T, Tomsen S, Wadds P, Jones SC, Palmer D, Barrie L, Lam T, Gilmore W, Lubman DI. A comparative study of blood alcohol concentrations in Australian night‐time entertainment districts. Drug Alcohol Rev 2014;33:338–45]
Keywords
alcohol, BAC, gender, intoxication, night-time economy
Date
2014
Type
Journal article
Journal
Drug and Alcohol Review
Book
Volume
33
Issue
4
Page Range
338-345
Article Number
ACU Department
ACU Engagement
Collections
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
File Access
Controlled