Characteristics of older at-risk drinkers who drive after drinking and those who do not drive after drinking

Abstract

Objective: To describe and compare characteristics of older adults who drive after drinking and those who do not, whether an intervention addressing at-risk drinking reduces risk among those reporting driving after drinking, and reasons reported for driving after drinking.

Methods: Secondary data analysis of a randomized trial testing the efficacy of a multifaceted intervention to reduce at-risk drinking among adults with a mean age of 68 years in primary care (N = 631).

Results: Almost a quarter of at-risk drinkers reported driving after drinking (N = 154). Compared to those who did not drive after drinking, those who did were more likely to be younger, male, and working. They consumed a higher average number of drinks per week, had more reasons they were considered at-risk drinkers, and were more likely to meet at-risk drinking criteria due to amount of drinking and binge drinking. Those driving after drinking at baseline reduced the frequency of this behavior at 3 and 12 months and there were no statistically significant differences in the proportions of persons still engaging in driving after drinking among those who were assigned to intervention or control groups. Reasons for driving after drinking included not thinking that it was a problem and having to get home.

Conclusions: Driving after drinking is common in this population of older, at-risk drinkers recruited in primary care settings and, like younger adults, men and those reporting binge drinking are more likely to engage in this behavior. Given that this behavior is dangerous and the population of older adults is fast growing, interventions addressing driving after drinking are needed.

Keywords: alcohol; elderly; interventions; old drivers.