%0 Journal Article
%T Alcohol use disorder symptoms and risk-taking behavior as predictors of alcohol-related medical events among young adults treated in emergency departments
%J Addictive behaviors
%D 2005
%A Kinnane, J. M.
%A Delbridge, T. R.
%A Bukstein, O. G.
%A Cornelius, Jack R.
%A Donovan, John E.
%A Kelly, Thomas M.
%V 30
%N 9
%P 1674-1689
%X BACKGROUND: Studies of alcohol-positive patients in emergency departments are not clear on the relationship between alcohol use disorder (AUD) symptoms and risk for injury. METHOD: Two-hundred three young adults (118 males (58%); mean age=19.4 years) who were treated in two Level-1 emergency departments (ED) received comprehensive psychiatric interviews and completed the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and the Cognitive Appraisal of Risky Events (CARE). RESULTS: Males diagnosed with the AUD symptom of "drinking more or over a longer period than intended" are at greatest risk for requiring emergency care for an alcohol-related medical problem (OR=10.8, 95% CI=1.2,94.3, p<.04). Risk-taking behaviors increase risk for an alcohol-related medical event for both genders (OR=2.6, 95% CI=1.1,5.6.1, p<.03). Alcohol use disorder severity related negatively to risk for experiencing an alcohol-related medical problem (OR=0.6, 95% CI=0.4,0.9, p<.04). CONCLUSIONS: Young adults treated for alcohol-related medical problems often exhibit DSM-IV defined symptoms of AUD and are engaging in risk-taking behaviors and should be referred for an in-depth assessment of alcohol use disorders and risk-taking activities.
%G 
%I Elsevier Publishing
%@ 0306-4603
%U http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2005.07.005