Treatment of Alcohol Intoxication at University Health Services: Examining Clinical Characteristics, Drinking Patterns, and Adherence with Referral.

OBJECTIVE: This study examines demographics, clinical characteristics, and drinking patterns of students presenting with alcohol intoxication at a university health service. PARTICIPANTS: The sample included one hundred students (50% female, 48% freshmen) treated for alcohol intoxication at university student health services. Complete medical charts were obtained for 80 students (43% female, 46% freshmen). METHODS: A prospective case review was performed between September 2005 and March 2006. RESULTS: Although males reported having more drinks before admission, drinking more frequently, and having more drinks per drinking day than females, there were no other gender differences. Freshmen comprised almost half the admissions, but there were no significant differences in drinking patterns across school years. While only 54% of students were given follow-up referrals, 72.2% of students complied with recommended referrals. Additional assessment information included alcohol use disorders sceening scores, history of previous alcohol intoxication and problems related to use, symptoms of anxiety and depression, and use of anti-depressant medication. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that further investigations of student characteristics and experiences prior to contact with university health services are warranted and may necessary to the development and implementation of programs to reduce harmful alcohol consumption.