title: Most recent risky drinking session with Australian teenagers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Despite declines in Australian alcohol consumption, youth alcohol related harms remain prevalent. These alcohol-related consequences appear to be driven by a subset of risky drinkers who engage in 'high intensity' drinking episodes and are underrepresented in national health surveys. This project aims to investigate high risk drinking practices and alcohol-related harms amongst young people not otherwise recorded in existing data.
  
  
  METHODS
  A community sample of the heaviest drinking 20-25% 16-19 year olds were surveyed across three Australian states (n=958; 80% metropolitan). We examined the context of their last risky drinking session through online and face-to-face surveys.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Males consumed a mean of 17 and females 14 standard drinks, and 86% experienced at least one alcohol-related consequence during this session. More than a quarter of the face-to-face sample had Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) scores indicative of alcohol dependence. Indications of dependence were 2.3 times more likely among those who felt uncomfortable about seeking alcohol treatment, and less likely if harm reduction strategies were frequently used while drinking.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is clear this underrepresented population experiences substantial acute and potentially chronic consequences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Within the context of increasing alcohol-related harms among young Australians, the understanding of this group's drinking habits should be prioritised.
authors: National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University, Western Australia.
authors: Tina
authors: T
authors: Lam
authors: National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University, Western Australia.
authors: Simon
authors: S
authors: Lenton
authors: Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University and Turning Point, Eastern Health, Victoria.
authors: Rowan
authors: R
authors: Ogeil
authors: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales.
authors: Lucinda
authors: L
authors: Burns
authors: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales.
authors: Alexandra
authors: A
authors: Aiken
authors: National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University, Western Australia.
authors: Tanya
authors: T
authors: Chikritzhs
authors: National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University, Western Australia.
authors: William
authors: W
authors: Gilmore
authors: Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University and Turning Point, Eastern Health, Victoria.
authors: Belinda
authors: B
authors: Lloyd
authors: National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University, Western Australia.
authors: James
authors: J
authors: Wilson
authors: Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University and Turning Point, Eastern Health, Victoria.
authors: Dan
authors: D
authors: Lubman
authors: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales.
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: Mattick
authors: National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University, Western Australia.
authors: Steve
authors: S
authors: Allsop
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001315:Australia; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012309:Risk-Taking; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D035862:Vulnerable Populations; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: adolescents; alcohol; high intensity drinking; risky single occasion drinking; young people