International Journal of Drug Policy
Volume 21, Issue 3 , Pages 251-254, May 2010

Drinking before going out—A predictor of negative nightlife experiences in a German inner city area

  • Sonja Wahl

      Affiliations

    • University Medical Center Freiburg, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hauptstraße 5, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
    • ,
  • Levente Kriston

      Affiliations

    • University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Department of Medical Psychology, Martinistraße 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
    • ,
  • Michael Berner

      Affiliations

    • University Medical Center Freiburg, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hauptstraße 5, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author at: Universitätsklinik Freiburg, Abteilung Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Hauptstraße 5, 79104 Freiburg, Germany. Tel.: +49 761 2706501; fax: +49 761 2706966.

Received 3 August 2009; received in revised form 8 October 2009; accepted 9 October 2009. published online 13 November 2009.

Abstract 

Objective

The aim of the presented study is to identify target groups for early interventions to reduce negative effects of nightlife alcohol consumption and negative nightlife experiences (e.g. involvement in fights) as well as to examine the consumption patterns and identify the need for further interventions.

Method

A cross-sectional survey of 308 persons in a German city centre during night time. Measurements: A questionnaire including questions on basic demographics, alcohol consumed prior to and during a typical night out, drug usage and experiences of the city's nightlife in the previous 12 months.

Results

Two-thirds of the interviewees repeated a hazardous or high alcohol consumption pattern on a night out. We found several predictors for negative nightlife experiences: those who are male, younger than 25, have a low level of education, show higher alcohol consumption (especially before going out), and take illicit drugs are at a particularly great risk of experiencing negative nightlife events.

Conclusions

We found several factors which increase the risk of experiencing negative effects of alcohol consumption. In particular, drinking before going out seems to be associated with aversive consequences.

Keywords: Alcohol, Nightlife, Violence, Young people, Prevention

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PII: S0955-3959(09)00129-7

doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2009.10.003

International Journal of Drug Policy
Volume 21, Issue 3 , Pages 251-254, May 2010

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