ALCOHOL USE, CONSEQUENCES, AND THEIR ASSOCIATION WITH PSYCHOLOGICAL DISCOMFORT IN YOUNG URUGUAYANS

RUIZ P.; PILATTI, ANGELINA; PAUTASSI R.M.

Puerto Varas

Congreso; VIII LASBRA International meeting: Neurobiological basis of alcoholism: from molecules to behavior; 2017

Latin American Society for Biomedical Research on Alcoholism

Little is known about patterns of alcohol consumption among youth and young adults from Uruguay, and even less is known about the consequences of, and emotional predisposition for, alcohol use in this population. This study described the ocurrence of alcohol use, and alcohol-related consequences in a large sample of Uruguayans (n=1527, 27% men, mean age=23,5±3,5 years). The association between these behaviors and psychological discomfort and sensitivity to emotional contagion were also assesed. Participants completed an online survey that measured alcohol use [alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT), and ad-hoc consumption questionnaire), consequences of alcohol use [young adult alcohol consequences questionnarie (YAACQ)], psychological discomfort (Kessler scale) and proclivity to emotional contagion (Emotional contagion scale). The results indicated a 91% prevalence of alcohol use in the last 12 months, with 46% of these subjects (50% in men) engaging in heavy episodic drinking (drinking 4/5 standard drinks in a single ocassion). Seventy percent of heavy drinking episodes were done in a 2-hr timeframe. There was a significant (p