Assessment of risky drinking typologies among college student alcohol users

About This Grant

Binge drinking and high-intensity drinking are major contributors to alcohol-related harms in college communities, with evolving trends influenced by shifting social norms and generational attitudes. One such novel trend is BORG (Blackout Rage Gallon) drinking, a form of high-intensity alcohol use popularized through social media. BORG drinks are typically made with distilled spirits, water, caffeinated flavor enhancers, and powdered electrolytes in a gallon container. Other forms of novel high-intensity alcohol use include extreme drinking games, consuming alcohol mixed with energy drinks, and pre-gaming. Despite the popularity of alcohol use in college settings, there is no published scientific research on the epidemiology, motivations, expectancies, and consequences associated with novel high-intensity alcohol use behaviors, such as BORG drinking. This proposed study will apply the Integrated Behavioral Model (IBM), derived from the Theory of Planned Behavior, to understand the drivers of novel high-intensity alcohol use behaviors among college students. The central hypotheses are that college students engage in risky drinking practices they believe are safer or more socially beneficial, acceptable in their peer groups, and achievable, promoting risky drinking practices. The project will employ a two-phase rapid cross-sectional assessment. In phase 1 (Aim 1), we will survey a convenience sample of 300 students from three United States institutions of higher education (California State University, Dominguez Hills; Texas State University; and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas) to assess the prevalence and theoretical drivers of various risky drinking behaviors, including demographic subgroup differences in BORG drinking. In phase 2 (Aim 2), we will survey 1000 college alcohol users from a web-based web panel to validate and generalize the findings from phase 1, focusing on the beliefs, expectations, and social contexts influencing BORG drinking and other risky behaviors. This exploratory project is significant and innovative as it addresses a critical gap in understanding the scope, severity, and impacts of novel drinking behaviors among college students. The findings will inform the development of screening and intervention best practices and provide data on risk and protective factors for risky drinking, guiding future interventions.