Citation

Korcha RA, Polcin DL, Greenfield TK, Kerr WC, Bond JC. J. Drug Iss. 2014; 44(4): 457-465.

Affiliation

Alcohol Research Group, 6475 Christie Ave. Ste. #400, Emeryville, CA 94608, 510-397-3440.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Florida State University, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice)

DOI

10.1177/0022042614542509

PMID

25346550

Abstract

BACKGROUND: General population studies have shown that pressure from others to change drinking can come from different sources. Receipt of informal pressure (IP) and formal pressure (FP) is known to vary by quantity and consequences of drinking, but less is known about how pressure varies among subgroups of the population.

METHOD: This exploratory study utilizes data from the National Alcohol Surveys from 1995-2010 (N=26,311) and examines associations between receipt of pressure and subgroups of drinkers.

RESULTS: Increased relative risk of receiving IP and FP were observed for individuals reporting an arrest for driving after drinking and illicit drug use while poverty and lack of private health insurance increased risk of receipt of formal pressures. Regular marijuana use increased IP.

CONCLUSION: The subgroups that were studied received increased pressures to change drinking behavior, though disentangling the societal role of pressure and how it may assist with interventions, help seeking, and natural recovery is needed.

Language: en