Drinking Location and Pregaming as Predictors of Alcohol Intoxication Among Mandated College Students

Background: Both drinking location and pregaming have been associated with heavy alcohol use among college students, yet the manner by which they uniquely contribute to alcohol intoxication remains unclear. Objective: The current study examined the unique utility of drinking location and pregaming in predicting alcohol intoxication among college students who violated campus alcohol policy. Method: Eietween 2011 and 2012, mandated college students who reported drinking prior to heir referral events (N = 212, 41% female, 80% White, A4 =19.4 y) completed a computerized assessment of drinking location arid related behaviors as part of larger research trial Chi-squared statistics, tests, one-way analyses of covariance, and regression were used to examine study aims. Results: Parcipants were most likely (44%) to report drinking in off-campus housing prior to the referral event, and approximately half (47%) reported pregaming. Alcohol intoxication on the night of the referral event differed significantly as a function of both drinking location and pregaming, but pregaming did not moderate the association between drinking location arid alcohol intoxication among marl dated students. Female birth sex, pregaming, arid drinking at either fraternities or off-campus housng predicted greater levels of alcohol intoxication on the night of the referral incident, while drinking n a residence hall/dorm predicted lovver intoxication. Fonclusions/fmportance: Drinking location and pregaming are distinct predictors of alcohol intoxication among mandated college students. Future n e veritions may benefitfrom targeting both where arid how college students consume alcohol