scholarly journals The Alcohol Hangover Research Group: Ten Years of Progress in Research on the Causes, Consequences, and Treatment of the Alcohol Hangover

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 3670
Author(s):  
Joris C. Verster ◽  
Lizanne Arnoldy ◽  
Sarah Benson ◽  
Andrew Scholey ◽  
Ann-Kathrin Stock
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Research Group ◽  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Blood Alcohol ◽  
Single Episode ◽  
10Th Anniversary ◽  
Recent Advances ◽  
Alcohol Hangover

The alcohol hangover is defined as the combination of negative mental and physical symptoms, which can be experienced after a single episode of alcohol consumption, starting when blood alcohol concentration (BAC) approaches zero. Here, we present the book “The alcohol hangover: causes, consequences, and treatment”, written to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Alcohol Hangover Research Group (AHRG), summarizing recent advances in the field of alcohol hangover research.

scholarly journals Updating the Definition of the Alcohol Hangover

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 823 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joris C. Verster ◽  
Andrew Scholey ◽  
Aurora J.A.E. van de Loo ◽  
Sarah Benson ◽  
Ann-Kathrin Stock
Keyword(s):  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Heavy Drinking ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Time Of Day ◽  
Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Blood Alcohol ◽  
Single Episode ◽  
New Findings ◽  
Alcohol Hangover ◽  
Definition Of

In 2016, the Alcohol Hangover Research Group defined the alcohol hangover as “the combination of mental and physical symptoms experienced the day after a single episode of heavy drinking, starting when blood alcohol concentration (BAC) approaches zero”. In the light of new findings and evidence, we carefully reviewed the different components of that definition. Several studies demonstrated that alcohol hangovers are not limited to heavy drinking occasions. Instead, data from both student and non-student samples revealed that at a group level, alcohol hangover may occur at much lower BAC levels than previously thought. Regression analysis further revealed that for individual drinkers, the occurrence of hangovers is more likely when subjects consume more alcohol than they usually do. However, hangovers may also occur at a drinker’s usual BAC, and in some cases even at lower BAC (e.g. in case of illness). We also carefully reviewed and modified other parts of the definition. Finally, hangovers are not necessarily limited to the ‘next day’. They can start at any time of day or night, whenever BAC approaches zero after a single dinking occasion. This may also be on the same day as the drinking occasion (e.g. when drinking in, or until the morning and subsequently having a hangover in the afternoon or evening). To better reflect the new insights and sharpen the description of the concept, we hereby propose to update the definition of the alcohol hangover as follows: “The alcohol hangover refers to the combination of negative mental and physical symptoms which can be experienced after a single episode of alcohol consumption, starting when blood alcohol concentration (BAC) approaches zero”, and recommend to use this new definition in future hangover research.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Hangover Resistance According to Two Methods for Calculating Estimated Blood Alcohol Concentration (eBAC)

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 2823 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chantal Terpstra ◽  
Andrew Scholey ◽  
Joris C. Verster ◽  
Sarah Benson
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Blood Alcohol ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Alcohol Hangover ◽  
Total Body ◽  
Answering Questions

Hangover resistance may be linked to an increased risk of continuing harmful drinking behaviours as well as involvement in potentially dangerous daily activities such as driving while hungover, mainly due to the absence of negative consequences (i.e., hangover symptoms) the day after alcohol consumption. The aim of this study was to examine the occurrence of claimed alcohol hangover resistance relative to estimated blood alcohol concentration (eBAC). A total of 1198 participants completed an online survey by answering questions regarding their demographics, alcohol consumption and occurrence of hangover. Two methods were used to calculate eBAC, one based on the modified Widmark Equation (N = 955) and the other from an equation averaging the total body water (TBW) estimates of Forrest, Watson, Seidl, Widmark and Ulrich (males only) (N = 942). The percentage of participants who claimed to be hangover resistant decreased rapidly with increasing eBAC and only a small number of hangover resistant drinkers remained at higher eBACs. Comparisons of the eBACs calculated by the two methods revealed significantly higher BACs when using the modified Widmark equation. These findings suggest that additional research for eBAC calculations is needed to improve accuracy and comprehensiveness of these equations for future alcohol hangover research.

Epidemiology of alcohol-related accidental death in Tokyo Metropolitan area (2015)

2019 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-10
Author(s):  
Hideto Suzuki ◽  
Takanobu Tanifuji ◽  
Satoko Kimura ◽  
Tatsushige Fukunaga
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Blood Alcohol ◽  
Alcohol Group ◽  
Tokyo Metropolitan Area ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Primary Type ◽  
At Home

Background Alcohol consumption may be a risk factor for accidental deaths; however, characteristics of alcohol-related deaths are unclear. We investigated characteristics of alcohol-related accidental deaths to facilitate target strategies. Methods In this article, 1060 cases of accidental deaths examined by the Tokyo Medical Examiner’s Office (2015) were divided into two groups: deceased individuals who drank alcohol (alcohol; n = 212) and those who did not (control; n = 848). Age, sex, alcohol consumption patterns, and manners/causes of deaths were compared. Places where individuals in the alcohol group met with an accident, and their blood alcohol concentration was assessed. Results Lower mean age (60.5 vs. 73.7 years) and a higher male ratio (75.9% vs. 58.5%) were observed in the alcohol group. Daily alcohol consumption was more common in the alcohol group (70.8% vs. 13.4%). Falling was the leading cause of death in the alcohol group, but without a significant difference (alcohol: 31.6%, control: 30.4%). Incidence rates of drowning (22.2% vs. 7.9%) and poisoning (11.3% vs. 2.0%) were significantly higher in the alcohol group. The mean blood alcohol concentration was 1.6 mg/mL. Of the total alcohol-related accidents, 60.8% occurred at home. Falling down the stairs was the primary type of falling, and majority of drownings occurred in a bathtub. Conclusion Male habitual drinkers (middle-aged to older adults) should be targeted to prevent alcohol-related accidental deaths. More than 50% of deaths occurred at home and care should be taken when performing daily activities, including using stairs and while bathing.

scholarly journals Sensitivity to Experiencing Alcohol Hangovers: Reconsideration of the 0.11% Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Threshold for Having a Hangover

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joris C. Verster ◽  
L. Darren Kruisselbrink ◽  
Karin A. Slot ◽  
Aikaterini Anogeianaki ◽  
Sally Adams ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Intake ◽  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Threshold Value ◽  
Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Absolute Amount ◽  
Blood Alcohol ◽  
Higher Alcohol ◽  
Lower Alcohol ◽  
Alcohol Hangover ◽  
Drinking Occasion

The 2010 Alcohol Hangover Research Group consensus paper defined a cutoff blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.11% as a toxicological threshold indicating that sufficient alcohol had been consumed to develop a hangover. The cutoff was based on previous research and applied mostly in studies comprising student samples. Previously, we showed that sensitivity to hangovers depends on (estimated) BAC during acute intoxication, with a greater percentage of drinkers reporting hangovers at higher BAC levels. However, a substantial number of participants also reported hangovers at comparatively lower BAC levels. This calls the suitability of the 0.11% threshold into question. Recent research has shown that subjective intoxication, i.e., the level of severity of reported drunkenness, and not BAC, is the most important determinant of hangover severity. Non-student samples often have a much lower alcohol intake compared to student samples, and overall BACs often remain below 0.11%. Despite these lower BACs, many non-student participants report having a hangover, especially when their subjective intoxication levels are high. This may be the case when alcohol consumption on the drinking occasion that results in a hangover significantly exceeds their “normal” drinking level, irrespective of whether they meet the 0.11% threshold in any of these conditions. Whereas consumers may have relative tolerance to the adverse effects at their “regular” drinking level, considerably higher alcohol intake—irrespective of the absolute amount—may consequentially result in a next-day hangover. Taken together, these findings suggest that the 0.11% threshold value as a criterion for having a hangover should be abandoned.

scholarly journals Sex Differences in the Presence and Severity of Alcohol Hangover Symptoms

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 867 ◽  
Author(s):  
van Lawick van Pabst ◽  
Devenney ◽  
Verster
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Alcohol Intoxication ◽  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Blood Alcohol ◽  
Small Magnitude ◽  
Severity Scores ◽  
Alcohol Hangover ◽  
Peak Blood ◽  
Drinking Occasion

Studies have demonstrated significant sex differences in alcohol intoxication effects. In contrast, the majority of studies on the alcohol hangover phase did not investigate sex differences. Therefore, the current study examined possible sex differences in the presence and severity of alcohol hangover symptoms. Data from n = 2446 Dutch students (male = 50.7%, female = 49.3%) were analyzed. They reported the presence and severity of 22 hangover symptoms experienced after their past month heaviest drinking occasion. Subjects were categorized according to their estimated peak blood alcohol concentration (eBAC) and presence and severity of the hangover symptoms were compared between men and women. In the lowest eBAC group (0% ≤ eBAC < 0.08%), no significant sex differences were found. In the subsequent eBAC group (0.08% ≤ eBAC < 0.11%), severity of nausea was significantly higher in women than in men. In the third eBAC group (0.11% ≤ eBAC < 0.2%), women reported higher severity scores on nausea, tiredness, weakness, and dizziness than men. Men reported the presence of confusion significantly more often than women, and women reported the presence of shivering significantly more often than men. In the fourth eBAC group (0.2% ≤ eBAC < 0.3%), women reported higher severity scores on nausea and tiredness than men. In the highest eBAC group (0.3% ≤ eBAC < 0.4%), no significant sex differences were found. In conclusion, across the eBAC groups, severity scores of nausea and tiredness were higher in women than in men. However, albeit statistically significant, the observed sex differences in presence and severity of hangover symptoms were of small magnitude, and therefore, have little clinical relevance.

“Nurse, I Only Had a Couple of Beers”: Validity of Self-reported Drinking Before Serious Vehicular Injury

2002 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 106-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marilyn Sawyer Sommers ◽  
Janice M. Dyehouse ◽  
Steven R. Howe ◽  
Kathryn Wekselman ◽  
Michael Fleming
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Motor Vehicle ◽  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Alcohol Intervention ◽  
Blood Alcohol ◽  
Traffic Crashes ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Reported Data ◽  
Vehicular Crashes

• Background Of the more than 40 000 Americans killed each year in vehicular crashes, 40% are involved in alcohol-related collisions. Although self-reported alcohol use has become an anchor for alcohol intervention after traffic crashes, clinicians are often skeptical about the truthfulness of self-reporting. • Objective To determine the validity of self-reported alcohol consumption of vehicular occupants hospitalized for a serious, alcohol-related injury. • Methods Non-alcohol–dependent subjects 18 years and older who were injured in motor vehicle crashes were interviewed. The self-reported number of standard drinks, time that drinking commenced, sex, and weight were used to calculate estimated blood alcohol concentration. This value was compared with the blood alcohol concentration measured at admission. • Results Of the 181 subjects, 60% provided sufficient data to calculate the estimated concentration. Seven men with admission concentrations of 10 mg/dL or more denied drinking. Among the 113 subjects with estimated concentrations who acknowledged drinking (excluding the 7 who denied drinking), the mean concentration at admission was 158.67 mg/dL, and mean estimated concentration was 83.81 mg/dL. According to multiple regression analyses, weight and number of drinks accounted for 3% of the variance in alcohol concentration at admission for women (R =0.174, F2,40 = 0.623, P = .54) and for 29% of the variance in men (R=0.543, F2,128 =26.71, P&lt; .001). • Conclusions Most persons who drink before vehicular injury acknowledge drinking. Self-reported data from men generally reflect the overall trend of alcohol consumption but with systematic underreporting. Reports from women are less predictable.

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