Alcohol-related Emergency Department Visits Among Adolescents and Young Adults in Sherbrooke, Canada

Objective: To describe alcohol-related emergency department (ED) consultations by adolescents and young adults, including severe alcohol intoxication. Method(s): This retrospective study was done in the 2 EDs of Sherbrooke (Quebec). All alcohol-related emergency visits among adolescent (12-17 years of age) and young adults (18-24 years of age) between January 1, 2012 and January 1, 2017 were described. Data include demographic information, the immediate drinking context leading to the ED consultation, means of transport, coingestion of other substances, laboratory data, clinical outcomes, and the type of counseling and follow-up services being offered. Results: On a total of 855 consultations, 56% were males. The median age was 20. Beverages with high alcohol content were consumed in 75% of cases. An altered level of consciousness was described in 68% of cases and 23% of patients had a condition presenting a potential threat to life. A majority of cases (57%) presented with at least 1 medical complication associated with alcohol intoxication. Only 29% had consumed a concurrent substance. The average blood alcohol concentration was 209 mg/dL. Half of patients were alone at the ED and only 52% were offered counseling and 40% a follow-up. Conclusions: Youth alcohol intoxication happens too often and is a serious medical emergency. Alcohol-related ED consultations are an opportunity for health professionals to intervene with youth. Young people need to be aware that beverages with high alcohol content can be extremely dangerous and alcohol regulations should be revised to restrict access to these products.