NCJ Number
226442
Journal
Drug and Alcohol Review Volume: 28 Issue: 12 Dated: January 2009 Pages: 25-30
Date Published
January 2009
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This study explored the feasibility and usefulness of a mobile phone momentary sampling (MS) program to capture data on alcohol use and related behaviors.
Abstract
The two studies showed preliminary support that MS techniques could provide further understanding about the development trajectory of alcohol use disorders (AUD) by providing important information about dynamic, time-varying experiences associated with alcohol use which cannot be measured by conventional means. Results indicated that the mobile type program captured more and better data on alcohol use with younger adolescents who attended school compared with older adolescents who were working or in a tertiary study. The mobile type program captured rates of alcohol consumption that reflected both individual Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) responses and information reported in large cohort studies of adolescent alcohol use. Results suggest that 15- to 17-year-olds are frequently consuming alcohol with their family or parents as a way of relaxing. Using alcohol to relax may not be a helpful coping strategy. Parental modeling of alcohol use as a means of relaxing and coping with stress may be an important motivation in adolescent use. Data were collected for the school-based study from 18 students in year 9 and 11, and from 8 high-risk adolescent drinkers for the clinical study. Tables and references