title: Patterns and sources of alcohol consumption preceding alcohol-affected attendances to a New Zealand hospital emergency department.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To perform a descriptive study of the drinking behaviour (amounts, types, sources of alcohol consumed) preceding alcohol-affected presentations to Christchurch Hospital Emergency Department (ED).
  
  
  METHODS
  Over 336 hours in the ED, patients with recent alcohol consumption or alcohol-related attendances were identified, classified as alcohol-affected or alcohol- unaffected, and invited to consent to answering questions on types, amounts and sources of alcohol consumed in the drinking session preceding or implicated in their ED attendance. Demographic information and level of intoxication were also recorded. Data were summarised descriptively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Alcohol-affected patients were more frequently young (16-25 years) and male. Median alcohol consumption was 14 (range 1 to 71) standard drinks. Beer was the most popular beverage (34%), but spirits (23%), ready-to-drink mixes (21%) and wine (20%) were also popular. Liquor stores (45%) were the most popular source of alcohol, followed by on-licence premises (25%), and supermarkets (21%). The popularity of different types of beverages and their source varied according to patient age and gender.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Consumption of large amounts, as well as allegedly 'safe' amounts, of a range of alcoholic beverages, most commonly from an off-licence source, contributed to alcohol-affected presentations to the ED. Beverage and source popularity varied by age and gender.
authors.forename: Manidipa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Das
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.affiliation: University of Otago Christchurch, Emergency Department, Christchurch Hospital, Private Bag 4710, Christchurch, New Zealand. Michael.Ardagh@cdhb.health.nz.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ardagh
authors.forename: Joanne M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Deely
authors.forename: Stuart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dodd
authors.forename: Nadia V
authors.initials: NV
authors.lastname: Bartholomew
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pearson
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Spearing
authors.forename: Tracey
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Than
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000434:Alcoholic Beverages / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004327:Drinking Behavior; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D017678:Sex Distribution; D055815:Young Adult