title: Breath alcohol estimation training: behavioral effects and predictors of success.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) estimation training has been effective in increasing estimation accuracy in social drinkers. Predictors of estimation accuracy may identify populations to target for training, yet potential predictors typically are not evaluated. In addition, the therapeutic efficacy of estimation training as a preventive strategy for problematic drinking is unknown.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-six social drinkers with a recent binge history were randomly assigned to an intervention or control group (n = 23 per group). In each of three sessions (pretraining, training, testing), participants consumed alcohol (0.32, 0.24, 0.16 and 0.08 g/kg, in random order) every 30 min (total dose: 0.8 g/kg). Participants provided five BrAC estimates within 3 h of alcohol administration. The intervention group, but not control group, received internal and external training. During testing, participants provided BrAC estimates, but received no feedback. Participants returned for two follow-up visits to complete self-report measures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  BrAC estimation training improved intervention group estimation accuracy within the laboratory. Together, training, low trait anxiety and low risk expectancy predicted high testing accuracy. There were no significant group differences in subsequent alcohol consumption, behavior under the influence or risk expectancy regarding potentially hazardous behaviors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  BrAC estimation training is effective in the laboratory but may not translate into naturalistic settings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA. aliguori@wakehealth.edu
authors.forename: Elizabeth R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Aston
authors.forename: Rebecca H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Neiberg
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Liguori
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000517:prevention & control; D063425:Binge Drinking / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001944:Breath Tests / Q000379:methods*; D004493:Education / Q000379:methods*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000431:Ethanol