It's Game Time: Drinking Intentions, Alcohol Consumption, and Consequences at College Tailgates

Background: Alcohol consumption and related consequences is a problem on many college campuses. Tailgating parties before college sporting events may be contributing, however, little recent research has investigated alcohol consumption at these events.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the drinking behaviors of college game day tailgate attendees and subsequent alcohol-related consequences.

Methods: Participants (N = 89; 44.9% female) were recruited from tailgates at a university in the Midwest United States on college football game days during fall 2014. Participants provided a breath sample, completed a questionnaire, and were given the opportunity to participate in a follow-up survey (n = 62) to assess resulting alcohol-related consequences.

Results: Over half of participants had BrACs greater than 0.000. However, one in three participants reported intentions to abstain from alcohol or to drink but not enough to get buzzed. Intoxication intentions were a significant and unique predictor of alcohol consumption and experience with alcohol-related consequences at follow-up. Conclusions/Importance: This study updates and extends the literature on alcohol-related consequences in the context of college football tailgates. The results suggest that consequences may be prevented through changes in intentions to become intoxicated.