Gender equality in university sportspeople's drinking

Introduction and Aims . In large population‐based alcohol studies males are shown consistently to drink more, and more hazardously, than females. However, research from some countries suggests that gender differences in drinking are converging, with females drinking more than in the past. Large population‐based research may miss gender‐based changes in drinking behaviours that occur in sub‐populations most at risk of hazardous drinking. We examine gender differences in a sub‐population where hazardous drinking is common and endorsed, namely university sportspeople. Design and Methods . The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and a drinking motives measure were used to assess hazardous drinking behaviours and drinking motives in 631 university sportspeople (females = 331, 52%). Results . There were no gender differences in AUDIT scores. However, drinking motives differed between genders, with coping motives being a significant predictor of hazardous drinking in females but not males. Hazardous drinking, including binge drinking (46.3%) and frequent binge drinking (35%), in New Zealand university sportspeople is high for both males and females. Discussion and Conclusions . New Zealand university sportspeople are one population where gender differences in drinking are not apparent and run counter to European population based research and research in US sporting populations. Gender role equality in the university systems, and endorsement of drinking in sporting culture, may account for the lack of gender differences in this New Zealand sporting population. Future research on gender differences in drinking should examine sub‐populations where gender role differentiation is low, and socio‐cultural/structural factors supporting gender equality are high.     

Problem drinking among married men in India: comparison between husband's and wife's reports

Introduction and Aims. This study compared the husband's report and wife's report of her husband's problem drinking, among residents of an urban slum in Bangalore, India. Design and Methods. The data come from a feasibility study to prevent HIV infection among at‐risk women in Bangalore. Household enumeration was carried out (n = 509) to choose 100 married men between 18 and 50 years who reported problem drinking (scores 8 and above) on the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT). Wives of these married men, considered to be at risk for HIV because of their husband's hazardous drinking, were subsequently recruited for the study (n = 100). Written informed consent was obtained; wives were asked about the drinking history of their husbands through the AUDIT‐WR (Wife's Report) developed for the present study. Results. Prevalence of problem drinking in the enumerated sample (n = 509) was high (n = 186; 37%). The husband's report and his wife's report of his problem drinking was concordant (r = 0.57–0.75) on eight out of 10 items, and the total AUDIT score. Discussion and Conclusions. The AUDIT‐WR is a reliable and culturally relevant measure of husband's problem drinking. In India, men with problem drinking are hard to reach. Therefore, proxy report of the wife may be useful when the husband is either unavailable or uncooperative for assessment.[Satyanarayana VA, Vaddiparti K, Chandra PS, O'Leary CC, Benegal V, Cottler LB. Problem drinking among married men in India: comparison between husband's and wife's reports. Drug Alcohol Rev 2010]     

AUDIT-C, AUDIT-3 and AUDIT-QF in screening risky drinking among Finnish occupational health-care patients

Introduction and Aims. Primary care physicians need a brief screening instrument to detect risky drinkers. In previous studies, the three first questions of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test‐C (AUDIT‐C) and the third question on heavy episodic drinking alone (AUDIT‐3) have been shown to be almost as effective as the whole AUDIT. Also, AUDIT‐QF (the first two questions of AUDIT) can be a potential screening instrument. However, the validity of these short questionnaires has not been studied among the occupational health‐care patients. Design and Methods. Patients visiting their doctor in six occupational health clinics were asked to fill in a health questionnaire containing AUDIT. All together 759 patients participated in the study. Risky drinking was defined as having scored of≥10 for men or≥8 or more for women in the AUDIT questionnaire. Validity of AUDIT‐C, AUDIT‐3 and AUDIT‐QF were compared against the whole AUDIT. Results. Based on the whole AUDIT, 92 (24%) of the men and 33 (9%) of the women were risky drinkers. For men and women, area under the curve was relatively high for all tested questionnaires. For AUDIT‐C, the best combination of sensitivity and specificity was yielded at cut‐off point of 6 for men and 4 for women. Discussion and Conclusion. Short questionnaires perform almost as well as the whole AUDIT screening risky drinking among men and women. This is why they can be recommended for clinical use in busy settings. The cut‐off points, however, have to be tailored for gender and culture.[Kaarne T, Aalto M, Kuokkanen M, Seppä K. AUDIT‐C, AUDIT‐3 and AUDIT‐QF in screening risky drinking among Finnish occupational health‐care patients. Drug Alcohol Rev 2010]     

Perceptions of Alcohol Advertising among High Risk Drinkers

Background: Individuals who are particularly vulnerable to the influence of alcohol advertising, such as youth, need special protections, yet little research has been done to determine if other vulnerable groups exist. Secondary data analysis was conducted to determine if perceptions of alcohol advertising differ between groups based on their alcohol use and whether the definition of “vulnerable” should be expanded beyond demographic categories. Methods: Students (n = 326) from 2 U.S. colleges viewed 5 alcohol ads and rated them using a scale designed to detect violations of the alcohol industry's self-regulated marketing codes. Individuals with a history of excessive alcohol use, as measured by the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), were considered potentially vulnerable to alcohol advertising and were compared against individuals without a history of excessive alcohol use. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to determine between-group differences in 4 dependent variables (ad appeal, perceived alcohol consumption, perceived excessive drinking, and perceived responsible drinking). All models were adjusted for age, race, ethnicity, sex, and parental alcohol use. Results: AUDIT risk categories were positively associated with ad appeal (p < 0.001), the amount of alcohol perceived to be consumed (p < 0.01), and perceptions of responsible drinking (p < 0.05). There was no significant associated with perceptions of excessive drinking. Conclusions: Individuals with a history of heavy alcohol use perceived greater alcohol consumption in alcohol ads but perceived this consumption, which often met the definition for binge drinking, to be responsible. Stricter regulations may be needed to protect heavy alcohol users from the effects of alcohol advertising.     

Brief alcohol screening in a clinical psychiatric population: special attention needed

Introduction and Aims. Abbreviated versions of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and single‐item screeners show promising results but have not previously been investigated in a clinical psychiatric setting. The aim of the present study was to investigate the capacity of three brief screening methods to detect hazardous drinking in a psychiatric treatment‐seeking population. Design and Methods. Data were collected from consecutive patients (n = 1811) visiting a general psychiatric clinic. The screening capacity of the heavy episodic drinking (HED) screener, AUDIT item # 3 (AUDIT‐3) and the three consumption items of AUDIT (AUDIT‐C) was compared to the result of the full 10‐item AUDIT with cut‐off points 6 for women and 8 for men. Results. The HED screener and AUDIT‐3 with recommended cut‐offs captured low rates of hazardous drinkers when compared to the full AUDIT. Lowering the cut‐offs created rates far above those of the full AUDIT. AUDIT‐C with recommended cut‐off limits categorised nearly the same rates of men as the full AUDIT but much higher rates of women. Raising the cut‐off for women approached the detection rate of AUDIT‐C closely to that of the full AUDIT. Discussion and Conclusions. The findings of this study suggest that the HED screener is not sensitive enough in the clinical psychiatric setting. When designing alcohol screening measures to be used all over health‐care organisations, special attention should be paid to psychiatric patients. If a somewhat more extensive screening tool is used, the full AUDIT is recommended.[Nehlin C, Fredriksson A, Jansson L. Brief alcohol screening in a clinical psychiatric population: Special attention needed. Drug Alcohol Rev 2012;31:538–543]     

Three hours of training improve psychiatric staff's self-perceived knowledge and attitudes toward problem-drinking patients

Introduction and Aims. Staff attitudes are an important factor in the successful implementation of systematic alcohol strategies and policies. The forms and extent of training needed to improve therapeutic attitude among psychiatric staff to problem drinking are unclear. The aim of the investigation was to study the knowledge and attitudes of psychiatric staff toward problem‐drinking patients. A further aim was to investigate whether a short 3 h training is sufficient to improve knowledge and therapeutic attitude toward problem drinking. Design and Methods. A tailored training model for psychiatric staff (non‐physicians) was carried out at a medium size university clinic. Participants were medical (nurses and psychiatric aides) and non‐medical staff (psychologists and social workers). The training consisted of a 2 h workshop and a 1 h follow‐up session. Knowledge and attitudes were measured at baseline and follow up by a questionnaire including vignettes assessment and the Short Alcohol and Alcohol Problems Perception Questionnaire. Results. In total, 115 persons completed the questionnaire (follow‐up rate 83.5%). The distribution was even (50% for the medical and 50% for the non‐medical staff). After training, the non‐medical staff estimated vignette case severity higher than before. Both staff groups estimated their capacity to help a patient with complex problems higher after training. Role adequacy was higher in both subgroups after training. Medical staff scored work satisfaction higher after the training. Discussion and Conclusions. Three hours of tailored training for psychiatric staff improve their knowledge and therapeutic attitude to problem‐drinking patients.[Nehlin C, Fredriksson A, Grönbladh L, Jansson L. Three hours of training improve psychiatric staff's self‐perceived knowledge and attitudes toward problem‐drinking patients. Drug Alcohol Rev 2012;31:544–549]     

Risky drinking among community pharmacy customers in New Zealand and their attitudes towards pharmacist screening and brief interventions

Introduction and Aims. To estimate the prevalence of risky drinking among customers in community pharmacies and to explore customer attitudes towards screening and brief intervention (SBI). Design and Methods. Cross‐sectional, anonymous survey, using random selection of community pharmacies in New Zealand to collect data using self‐completion questionnaires and an opportunity to enter a prize draw. Participants were customers/patients attending the community pharmacy on a specific, randomly selected day (Monday to Friday) in one set week. Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT)‐C using a cut‐off score of 5 was used to measure risky drinking. Attitudes towards pharmacists engaging in SBI for risky drinkers were measured. Results. 2384 completed customer/patient questionnaires from 43 participating pharmacies. Almost 84% ever drank alcohol and using a score of 5 or more as a cut‐off, 30% of the sample would be considered as risky drinkers. Attitudes were generally positive to pharmacists undertaking SBI. Logistic regression with AUDIT‐C positive or negative as the dependent variable found those taking medicines for mental health and liver disease being more likely to score negative on the AUDIT‐C, and smokers and those purchasing hangover cures were more likely than average to have a positive AUDIT‐C screen. Discussion and Conclusions. This study indicates there is scope for community pharmacists to undertake SBI for risky drinking, and that customers find this to be acceptable. Targeted screening may well be useful, in particular for smokers. Further research is required to explore the effectiveness of SBI for risky drinkers in this setting.[Sheridan J, Stewart J, Smart R, McCormick R. Risky drinking among community pharmacy customers in New Zealand and their attitudes towards pharmacist screening and brief interventions. Drug Alcohol Rev 2012;31:56–63]     

Investigating the utility of mobile phones for collecting data about adolescent alcohol use and related mood,stress and coping behaviours: Lessons and recommendations

Introduction and Aims. The trajectory from alcohol use to alcohol use disorders in adolescence is yet to be understood. Momentary sampling may assist in capturing ‘real‐time’ data on young people's alcohol use and associated motivational factors. This paper aims to review the feasibility and usefulness of a mobile phone momentary sampling program to capture data about alcohol use and related behaviours. Design and Methods. Two studies were conducted: a school‐based study with 18 Year 9 and 11 students and a clinical study with eight high‐risk adolescent drinkers. Participants answered questions about their daily activities, alcohol use, stressors and negative mood four times a day for 1 week using a mobile phone momentary sampling program. Results. In the school‐based study, 61% of participants reported drinking alcohol. On drinking days participants spent less time studying (14% vs. 26%), more time sleeping or resting (35% vs. 12%) and more time hanging out (21% vs. 11%) than on non‐drinking days. In the high‐risk sample, 88% of participants reported drinking alcohol. On drinking days, these participants spent a greater proportion of their waking time with their boyfriend or girlfriend (19.2% vs. 6%) and generally had higher negative mood than on non‐drinking days. Discussion and Conclusions. The current mobiletype program was well suited to capturing data on alcohol use in younger, school‐attending adolescents. However, to capture alcohol use in older adolescents who lead less routine lives, it is necessary to make some amendments including targeting particular behaviours and symptoms. Recommendations for future studies are proposed.[Kauer SD, Reid SC, Sanci L & Patton GC. Investigating the utility of mobile phones for collecting data about adolescent alcohol use and related mood, stress and coping behaviours: Lessons and recommendations. Drug Alcohol Rev 2009;28:25–30]     

Web‐based screening and advice for hazardous drinkers: Use of a Spanish site

Introduction and Aims. A website for implementing screening and brief intervention on alcohol was launched in Barcelona, Spain, in October 2006. Its aim was to reach hazardous drinkers who probably would not ask for advice. This article describes use of the site, profiles users and discusses limitations concerning screening. Design and Methods. The website included screening, advice and information. Demographic and self‐screening data (typical weekly consumption and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, AUDIT) were examined. Results. In a 12 month period, 12 138 visitors entered the website, 2574 started self‐assessment, 1342 completed the table and 724 of these participants completed the AUDIT. These users had a mean age of 27.6 years, one‐third of them drank above recommended weekly limits and 84.1% of those who completed the AUDIT (n = 724) scored positive (≥5); a total of 70.3% of identified at‐risk drinkers entered the advice section. Among visitors to the site, risk factors for hazardous drinking were: being male,≥35 years of age, and drinking heavily at weekends. Discussion and conclusions. The percentage of hazardous drinkers accessing the site was high, and visitors reported that they liked the design, that it was easy to use and that it provided relevant information. Most of those who had sought advice considered it to be helpful. The website seems to be an accessible and useful tool for young people and might be used in youth centres as well as in health‐care settings, such as primary care and emergency centres, where it could contribute to health promotion and constitute an easier alternative to screening and brief intervention given by the staff.[Rodríguez‐Martos A, Castellano Y. Web‐based screening and advice for hazardous drinkers: Use of a Spanish site. Drug Alcohol Rev 2009;28:54–59]     

Understanding the hangover experience in Canadian adults: A latent class analysis of hangover symptom patterns and their alcohol-related correlates

Aim: Given the ubiquitous nature of hangover experience among drinkers, this study aimed to profile hangover experience in terms of the number and patterns of past year symptoms. Methods: Current drinkers in Canada (n?=?565) recruited through zoompanel were asked about 13 past year hangover symptoms. These were explored through correlation with alcohol consumption, problems, treatment and other factors. Findings: Increased number of symptoms were associated with higher Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) problem score, perceived harm from drinking, younger age and flushing/blushing when drinking (Mean = 3.3 symptoms). Four patterns were found from latent class analysis; class 4 (43%) no symptoms; class 3 (13%) thirst, tiredness, headache, nausea and vomiting; class 2 (22%) thirst, tiredness and headache; and class 1 (21%) wide range. Class 1 was characterised by blushing when drinking, higher perceived harm and attempts to reduce drinking due to hangovers. Classes 1–3 were associated with heavier consumption; only class 3 compared with class 4 had lower drinking refusal self-efficacy. Conclusions: higher alcohol consumption and lower drinking refusal self-efficacy relate to more symptoms; however, a group with variable alcohol consumption did not experience hangovers. The link between problems, treatment and hangover was not clear from patterns of symptoms; symptom severity may be worth further investigation.     

Opinions of non‐pregnant New Zealand women aged 16–40 years about the safety of alcohol consumption during pregnancy

Introduction and Aims. Premenopausal women's opinions on the safety of alcohol consumption during pregnancy are not well documented. This study aims to assess the opinions of New Zealand women on the safety of alcohol consumption in pregnancy and the sociodemographic and lifestyle factors associated with these opinions. Design and Methods. A nationwide, cross‐sectional survey was conducted in 2005 on a random sample of 1109 non‐pregnant women aged 16–40 years. Data were collected via an interviewer‐administered questionnaire using a web‐assisted telephone interviewing system. Results. Overall, 44% (95% confidence interval 41–47) of women surveyed were of the opinion that no alcohol is safe in pregnancy. Those who stated that no alcohol is safe in pregnancy were more likely to be of Pacific Island ethnicity (P < 0.05) and abstainers (P < 0.001). Women who drank more than two standard drinks of alcohol on a typical occasion and/or who binged were more likely to be of the opinion that ‘more than one standard drink’ of alcohol is safe on a typical drinking day during pregnancy (P < 0.001). Discussion and Conclusions. The association of drinking style with opinions about the safety of alcohol consumption in pregnancy accentuates the need for public health education to reduce risky drinking behaviours in this population. Such efforts may also address the risk associated with many women unintentionally drinking in early pregnancy, especially if the pregnancy is unplanned.[Parackal SM, Parackal MK, Harraway JA, Ferguson EL. Opinions of non‐pregnant New Zealand women aged 16–40 years about the safety of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Drug Alcohol Rev 2009]     

Community pharmacy service users' views and perceptions of alcohol screening and brief intervention

Introduction and Aims. Community pharmacists have the potential to deliver alcohol screening and brief interventions (SBI) to pharmacy users. However, little is known if SBI would be utilised and views of people who might use the service. Therefore, the aim was to investigate potential barriers and enablers of pharmacy SBI. Design and Methods. Purposive sampling was used to select four pharmacies within the London borough of Westminster, UK. Semistructured interview schedule recorded participants' views of pharmacy SBI. The Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test‐Consumption (AUDIT‐C) was incorporated to record views of high and low‐risk drinkers. Categorical data were analysed and content analysis undertaken. Results. Of the 237 participants (149 female) approached 102 (43%) agreed to be interviewed (63 female). Of these 98 completed AUDIT‐C, with 51 (52%) identified as risky drinkers. Risky drinkers were significantly identified among the younger age group (χ² = 11.03, P = 0.004), professional occupations (χ² = 10.41, P = 0.015), with higher qualifications (χ² = 10.46, P = 0.033), were least frequent visitors to a pharmacy (χ² = 11.58, P = 0.021) and more frequently identified in multiple pharmacy establishments than independents (χ² = 8.52, P = 0.004). Most were willing to discuss drinking (97, 96%) and accept written information (99, 98%). Accessibility and anonymity were reported as positive aspects and concerns were expressed about lack of privacy and time (pharmacist and user). Discussion and Conclusions. This study reports the first results of pharmacy users' views on SBI. Regardless of drinking status, most were willing to utilise the service and positive about pharmacists' involvement.[Dhital R, Whittlesea CM, Norman IJ, Milligan P. Community pharmacy service users' views and perceptions of alcohol screening and brief intervention. Drug Alcohol Rev 2010;29;596–602]     

Neighbourhood matters: perceptions of neighbourhood cohesiveness and associations with alcohol, cannabis and tobacco use

Introduction and Aims. To examine relationships between perceived neighbourhood cohesion and alcohol, tobacco and cannabis consumption in New Zealand. Design and Methods. A two‐level random intercept regression model was used to examine the extent to which perception of neighbourhood cohesion (at the individual and area level) was associated with the frequency of substance (alcohol, tobacco and cannabis) consumption, after controlling for demographics and deprivation. This study is based on data from two national Health Behaviours Surveys (Drugs and Alcohol) conducted in 2003 and 2004 in New Zealand. Data were collected by computer‐assisted telephone interviewing with two complementary computer‐assisted cellphone interviewing samples. The combined sample consists of 6346 men and 8411 women (n = 14 757) distributed across 1572 census area units. Results. Perception of neighbourhood cohesion was significantly associated with the level of alcohol, tobacco and cannabis consumption. Individuals who perceived their neighbourhood as more cohesive had higher annual frequency of alcohol consumption but lower consumption on a typical drinking occasion. Higher perceived neighbourhood cohesion was also associated with a decrease in the probability of tobacco and cannabis use and of the amounts consumed. Area‐level analysis suggested that aggregate census area unit‐level neighbourhood cohesion exerted a significant additional contextual effect on the frequency of tobacco and cannabis consumption over and above individual perceptions of neighbourhood cohesiveness. Discussion and Conclusions. This study provides empirical evidence that perceptions of the neighbourhood social environment are associated with people's substance consumption patterns. Increasing residents' sense of neighbourhood cohesion might prove a promising way to decrease health‐damaging consumption behaviours. [Lin E‐Y, Witten K, Casswell S, You RQ. Neighbourhood matters: Perceptions of neighbourhood cohesiveness and associations with alcohol, cannabis and tobacco use. Drug Alcohol Rev 2012;31:402–412]     

Drinking Reasons and Alcohol Problems by Work Venue Among Female Sex Workers in Guangxi,China

Objective: Alcohol use is a key determinant of sexual risk behaviors, but pathways to alcohol use in the context of commercial sex still remain unclear. The present study explores reasons for drinking and their roles on alcohol use problems among female sex workers (FSWs) in different types of commercial sex venues. Method: In 2009, a sample of 1,022 FSWs from Guangxi, China completed a survey containing a 10-item Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and a 28-item measure of reasons for drinking. Factor analysis revealed five reasons for drinking: suppression, disinhibition, work requirement, sexual enhancement, and confidence booster. Results: All identified reasons except confidence booster appeared to be related to a higher tendency of developing alcohol use problems among FSWs. Types of commercial sex venues moderated the relationship between work requirement and alcohol use problems. Conclusions: Alcohol-risk reduction interventions among this population need to provide them with alternative approaches to regulate emotions and modify their misconceptions about alcohol's sexual enhancing function. More attention is needed to FSWs’ vulnerability to the negative influence of occupational drinking.     

Factors Associated With Drinking Behavior Among Immigrant Women in Taiwan

Background: Transnational marriage-based immigrant women in Taiwan have moved to a country where alcohol use is prevalent and they face the challenge of adaptation into a new society, which could influence their drinking behavior. Objectives: To describe the prevalence of alcohol drinking and examine factors associated with drinking patterns among immigrant women in Taiwan. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional questionnaire survey and data were collected from June through November in 2013. Convenience samples of 757 immigrant women were recruited across Taiwan. Alcohol use patterns during the past year were divided into abstinent, low-risk drinking, and hazardous drinking based on the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test. Measures included subject characteristics, exposure to cigarettes and alcohol, acculturation level, and perceived stress. Results: The prevalence of drinking during the past year among immigrant women was 29.9% (low-risk drinking 27.6% and hazardous drinking: 2.3%). Multinomial logistic regression showed that women who were employed, who smoked, whose husbands drank, and who interacted with Taiwanese friends frequently were significantly more likely to be in the low-risk drinking group compared with the abstinent group. Women who were divorced/widowed, who had low education levels, who smoked, and whose husbands drank were significantly more likely to be in the hazardous drinking group compared with the abstinent group. Conclusions: More acculturation in immigrant women as indicated by working and frequently interacting with friends in mainstream society was related to low-risk drinking behavior; adversities as indicated by loss of marriage and low education level were related to hazardous drinking behavior.     

Web-based alcohol intervention for nightclub patrons: Opposite effects according to baseline alcohol use disorder classification

Background: This study aimed to test the effectiveness of a Web-based intervention in preventing alcohol abuse among nightclub patrons. Methods: A probabilistic sample of the patrons of 31 nightclubs in São Paulo, Brazil, was invited to participate in an online screening using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). A total of 1057 patrons met the inclusion criteria to participate in the randomized controlled trial, with data collection at 0, 3, 6, and 12 months. At baseline, participants were classified into 2 AUDIT score groups: a “high-risk” group (AUDIT ≥8; 44%) and a “low-risk” group (AUDIT <8; 56%). In both groups, the intervention subgroup was exposed once to a personalized normative feedback screen with information on the participant's alcohol consumption and its potential consequences. Results: After 12 months, no differences were found between the intervention and the control conditions in either risk group. In the “high-risk” group, there were significant reductions of both the AUDIT score and the prevalence of binge drinking (BD) over time in both the control and the intervention subgroups. In addition, an effect of the intervention was observed at 6 months, i.e., there was an estimated 13% reduction in the AUDIT score in favor of the intervention subgroup (odds ratio [OR] = 0.87; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.76, 1.00). In the “low-risk” group, both the control patrons and those receiving the intervention had increased AUDIT scores. Conclusion: The results suggest that the time effect of participating in the study may have had a beneficial outcome in reducing harmful drinking among patrons in the “high-risk” group. The intervention is not recommended to the “low-risk” group.     

The Proactivity of People Who Use Drugs as a Political and Ethical Imperative

Background: Alcohol consumption often appears to be under social influence. However, we know relatively little about whether some people are particularly likely to exhibit similar drinking patterns to their peers. Objectives: Here we tested the extent to which trait social approval concerns and trait self-control are associated with the likelihood that individuals display similar heavy episodic drinking patterns to their peers. Method: One thousand and fifty-six young adults participated in an online study. We measured trait social approval concerns (the Need to Belong scale) and trait self-control (the Self-Control scale) alongside personal heavy episodic drinking and perceptions of peer heavy episodic drinking. Results: Beliefs that one's peers (other students) drank heavily were associated with heavier personal episodic drinking. This relationship was moderated by trait self-control: The correlation between personal heavy episodic drinking and perceived peer drinking was much stronger in those with low self-control compared with those with high self-control. Contrary to hypotheses, trait social approval concerns did not moderate the relationship between perceived peer drinking and personal heavy episodic drinking. Conclusions: Social norms about drinking could act as a form of informational cue for one's own alcohol consumption, but the extent to which individuals follow or override this cue may depend on individual differences in self-control.