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To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2009.06.001 Byline: Vivian M. Gonzalez (a), R. Lorraine Collins (b), Clara M. Bradizza (a) Keywords: Suicidal ideation; Drinking alone; Alcohol problems; Heavy episodic drinking; Binge drinking; Drinking to cope Abstract: In college students, solitary heavy drinking (i.e., while alone) is associated with depression and with higher rates of drinking problems than heavy drinking in social contexts. This study explored the relationship among heavy episodic drinking context, suicidal ideation, and drinking motives among underage college drinkers (n =91) with a history of passive suicidal ideation. Participants completed measures of depression, suicidal ideation, alcohol consumption and problems, and drinking motives. Multiple regression analyses revealed that suicidal ideation, but not depression, was significantly related to solitary heavy drinking. Neither was related to social heavy drinking. Enhancement motives for drinking, but not other drinking motives (i.e., social, conformity, drinking to cope), were significantly associated with social heavy drinking. In contrast, only drinking to cope was associated with solitary heavy drinking. These findings suggest that greater suicidal ideation is associated with greater frequency of becoming intoxicated while alone, and that this drinking is motivated by attempts to cope. Solitary heavy drinking is a potentially dangerous coping strategy for an individual experiencing suicidal ideation. Author Affiliation: (a) Research Institute on Addictions, University at Buffalo, 1021 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14206, United States (b) Department of Health Behavior, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, 3435 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14214, United States

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2005.12.001 Byline: Clara M. Bradizza, R. Lorraine Collins, Paula C. Vincent, Diana L. Falco Keywords: Alcohol; Malt beverage; Alcohol expectancies; Reasons for drinking; Qualitative research Abstract: Young adult men and women (N =53) who regularly consume malt liquor (i.e., 40 oz/week) participated in 10 semi-structured focus groups. Group transcripts were analyzed using a multilevel process that focused on recurring themes across multiple groups. Commonly identified themes encompassed positive and negative qualities of malt liquor as well as contexts in which malt liquor was consumed. Some of the themes were corroborated by quantitative data on drinking behavior and other variables. The focus groups were designed to explore the unique characteristics of malt liquor (low price, high alcohol content, large volume packaging) that enhance consumption patterns and increase risk for excessive alcohol use. The combination of qualitative and quantitative data provides a unique and useful perspective for identifying issues for future research on malt liquor consumption. Author Affiliation: Research Institute on Addictions, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, 1021 Main Street, Buffalo, New York 14203, USA

Relationships among personality and use of licit and illicit substances in a sample of 421 college-aged social drinkers are examined. Results indicated significant relationships between personality and substance use as well as gender differences.

The three domains of situational context, aggression-facilitating characteristics of individuals and the impact of alcohol consumption and its relationship with violence in barroom settings, were studied. The findings of this study are described.

Abstract: We examined the social networks and alcohol use of a community-based sample of nonstudent emerging adults (N =59). The research examined (1) personal network characteristics and the drinking habits of its members, (2) the link between network alcohol use and personal alcohol involvement, (3) perceived social norms as they related to network alcohol use, and (4) relationship between perceived social norms and personal alcohol involvement. Men and women (M age=27years) were equally represented in the social network. Level of educational attainment of members was diverse. On average, respondents were in contact on a daily basis with network members and about 38% of the network was known between 1 and 5years. The majority (57%) of the network consisted of household or family members. There were some associations between network drinking and personal alcohol involvement. The proportion of “drinking buddies” in one''s network was directly associated with perceived drinking norms. Perceived drinking norms also were positively associated with personal alcohol use, alcohol-related problems, and approval of drinking behaviors. Findings from this study have implications for understanding social factors in the drinking behavior of nonstudent emerging adults and could inform the development of effective prevention and treatment interventions for this important, but understudied group of drinkers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Underage drinkers typically have not developed regular patterns of drinking and so are likely to exhibit situational variation in alcohol intake, including binge drinking. Information about such variation is not well captured by quantity/frequency (QF) measures, which require that drinkers blend information over time to derive a representative estimate of “typical” drinking. The Timeline Followback (TLFB) method is designed to retrospectively capture situational variations in drinking during a specific period of time. We compared our newly-developed Self-administered TLFB (STLFB) measure to a QF measure for reporting alcohol intake. Our sample of 429 (men=204; women=225) underage (i.e., age 18–20 years) drinkers completed the two drinking measures and reported on alcohol problems. The STLFB and QF measures converged in assessing typical daily intake, but the STLFB provided more information about situational variations in alcohol use and better identification of regular versus intermittent binge drinkers. Regular binge drinkers reported more alcohol problems. The STLFB is an easy-to-administer measure of variations in alcohol intake, which can be useful for understanding drinking behavior. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Identifying as a 'smoker' has been associated with many cigarette smoking-related behaviors, including less frequent and intense cigarette use. Additional smoking behaviors (e.g., use of cannabis or cigars) also may contribute to self-identification as a 'smoker'. This study compared correlates of identifying as a 'smoker' and measurement strategies for non-daily cigarette consumption among young-adult intermittent and light daily smokers. Using data from Wave 1 of the PATH Study, different measurements of past 30-day non-daily cigarette use were evaluated. Weighted logistic regression models were used to compare associations with self-identification as a smoker among 18-24 year-old intermittent and light daily smokers (n = 1531). Use of other smoked products (combustible tobacco, cannabis) and other documented correlates of smoker identity were evaluated. As frequency of monthly smoking increased, self-identification as a smoker increased (1-5 days = 24%, 6-19 days = 48%, 20-29 days = 78%, light daily smokers = 93%, daily smokers using >5 cigarettes per day = 99%). Self-reported smoking status 12 months ago significantly contributed to current identification as a smoker. Smoking cigars daily or using cannabis in the past 30 days were each positively associated with smoker identity. Different measurement approaches to non-daily cigarette use offer different advantages in terms of interpretability and granularity of information. Compared to daily smokers, non-daily smokers exhibit significant variability in identifying as a smoker, and systematic correlates of smoker identification are apparent. These findings may serve to enhance understanding of non-daily smokers and potential targets for intervention among this growing subpopulation of tobacco users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several theories posit that cannabis and other substances are used to reduce negative affect. This daily report study considered whether variations in positive and negative affect, reported each morning, contributed to the likelihood of cannabis use later that day. We also explored whether levels of positive and negative affect reported immediately after cannabis use improved, relative to that day's morning levels. The sample included 183 men and 183 women representing heterosexual, cannabis-using couples from the community. Participants made independent, daily reports of affect and cannabis use episodes for 30 consecutive days. Using multilevel modeling, we modeled men's and women's use of cannabis on a given day as a function of morning levels of positive, hostile, and anxious affect, accounting for partner cannabis use that day, and mean levels of positive and negative affect. Men and women were more likely to use cannabis on a given day when morning positive affect was lower than typical for the person and when partner used cannabis that day. Neither hostile nor anxious affect contributed to later use of cannabis. Immediately after cannabis use, positive affect increased, and hostile and anxious affect decreased relative to that day's morning levels. The improved affect immediately after use suggests a mechanism of positive reinforcement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Drugged driving [DD] is a public health concern, particularly among emerging adults who have the highest rates of drug use. Understanding involvement with DD could inform prevention efforts for this population. We evaluated the prevalence of, motives for, and correlates of past-year DD among emerging adults from an urban, under-resourced community.Methods: Emerging adults (N=586) ages 18-25years (54% male, 56% African American, 34% European American) seeking care in an urban emergency department completed past-year surveys of demographics, frequency of DD within 4h of substance use, reasons for DD, and substance use.Results: DD was reported by 24% of participants (with 25% of those engaging in high frequency DD). DD after cannabis use was most common (96%), followed by prescription opioids, sedatives, and stimulants (9%-19%). Common reasons for DD were: needing to go home (67%), not thinking drugs affected driving ability (44%), not having to drive far (33%), and not feeling high (32%). Demographics were not associated with DD, but, as expected, those with DD had riskier substance use.Conclusions: In this clinical sample, using a conservative measure, DD, particularly following cannabis use, was relatively common among emerging adults. Based on these data, clinical interventions for cannabis and other drug use should include content on prevention of DD, with particular attention to motives such as planning ahead for alternatives to get home safely and weighing benefits and risks of DD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]