University of Tasmania
Browse

File(s) under permanent embargo

Typology of alcohol consumers in five Australian nighttime entertainment districts

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-18, 16:54 authored by Amy PeacockAmy Peacock, Norman, T, Raimondo BrunoRaimondo Bruno, Pennay, A, Droste, N, Jenkinson, R, Quinn, B, Lubman, DI, Miller, P

Introduction and Aims: Understanding how types of alcohol consumers differ is important for public policy targeted at reducing adverse events. The aims of the present study were to identify typologies of alcohol consumers in Australian nighttime entertainment districts based on risk factors for harm and to examine variation between the identified groups in drinking setting and harms.

DDesign andMethods: Street-intercept surveys were conducted with 5556 alcohol consumers in and around licensed venues in five Australian cities between November 2011 and June 2012. Latent class analysis identified groups based on age and sex, and blood alcohol concentration, pre-drinking, energy drink use and illicit drug use during that night.

Results: Four classes were identified: general patron group (33%), young pre-drinker group (27%), intoxicated male pre-drinker group (31%) and intoxicated illicit drug male group (9%). The proportion of the general patron group interviewed decreased over the night, while the other groups increased (particularly in regional cities). As compared with the general patron group, the remaining three groups reported increased odds of being involved in aggression and any alcohol-related injuries in the past 3 months, with highest rates of harm amongst the intoxicated illicit drug male group.

Discussion and Conclusions: Alcohol consumers in nighttime entertainment districts are not a homogeneous group. One-third have a low likelihood of risky consumption practices; however, representation of this consumer class diminishes throughout the night. Elevated harms amongst groups characterised by certain risk factors (e.g. pre-drinking and illicit drug use) emphasise the importance of addressing these behaviours in public policy.

History

Publication title

Drug and Alcohol Review

Volume

35

Issue

5

Article number

12370

Number

12370

Pagination

539-548

ISSN

0959-5236

Department/School

School of Psychological Sciences

Publisher

Carfax Publishing

Place of publication

United Kingdom

Rights statement

Copyright 2015 Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Public health (excl. specific population health) not elsewhere classified

Usage metrics

    University Of Tasmania

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC