3376 Super Bingers: Traits and Patterns Associated with High-Intensity Drinking

Abstract

OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: This study attempts to evaluate the drinking patterns and traits of individuals who partake in high intensity drinking, defined as binge drinking at 2 or more times the minimum binge count (4 drinks for females, 5 drinks for males). METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: We analyzed data from non-treatment seeking volunteers enrolled in NIAAA screening protocols. The sample included 706 males and 474 females ranging in age from 18 to 91. Subjects were assigned to one of four groups (Non-Binge, Level 1, Level 2, Level 3) based on the highest binge session reported in their Timeline Followback questionnaire. The criteria for each group were different for males and females based on the current NIAAA definitions of binge drinking. The cutoffs for females were 0-3 drinks for Non-Binge, 4-7 drinks for Level 1, 8-11 drinks for Level 2, and 12+ drinks for Level 3. The male drink cutoffs were 0-4, 5-9, 10-14, and 15+ respectively. We looked at various drinking measures (Timeline Followback, Self-Reported Effects of Alcohol (SRE), Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)) and trait measures (UPPS-P Impulsivity Scale, Barratt’s Impulsiveness Scale, Buss Perry Aggression Questionnaire) to identify mean differences between groups. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: There were significant differences in drinking patterns between the groups for both males and females. Number of drinking days, average drinks per drinking day, and number of heavy drinking days all increased as binge level increased. There were also significant differences between groups in males for trait measures. Level 2 and Level 3 bingers scored significantly higher on impulsivity and aggression than the Level 1 and Non-Binge groups. Ongoing analyses are examining differences among binge groups on other measures including SRE and AUDIT. Future analyses will explore potential mechanisms underlying the relationships between trait measures and binge drinking using structural equation modeling. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: This study found significant differences between high-intensity drinkers, or “super bingers”, and lighter binge and non-binge drinkers. Super bingers showed an overall heavier drinking pattern across measures. The elevated aggression, impulsivity, and overall heavy drinking patterns of super bingers suggest a behavioral profile that makes this group in particular at higher risk for developing alcohol use disorder and related problems. These traits and behaviors may also help identify targets for treatment interventions for alcohol use disorder.