# Protective behavioral strategies and planned drinking relate to high intensity drinking and consequences at the day level

## TL;DR

This study explores how protective drinking strategies and planned drinking affect heavy drinking and its consequences in young adults.

## Contribution

The study reveals that planned heavy drinking is associated with fewer protective strategies and more negative outcomes.

## Key findings

- Using more protective strategies was linked to lower odds of high-intensity drinking and fewer consequences.
- On planned high-intensity drinking days, fewer protective strategies were used.
- Planning to drink was reliably linked to heavier drinking and negative consequences.

## Abstract

Heavy episodic drinking (HED; 4 + [females]/5 + [males] drinks/occasion), high-intensity drinking (HID; 8 + [females]/10 + [males] drinks/occasion), and drinking events that are planned are all associated with negative consequences. Protective behavioral strategies (PBS) are techniques to minimize alcohol-related consequences. In this day-level study, we hypothesized (1) PBS use would be associated with safer same-day drinking (lower odds of HID and negative consequences), and (2) risks of HID and consequences associated with planned drinking would be reduced on days with higher PBS use. Additionally, (3) on HID days, having planned to engage in HID was hypothesized to relate to use of fewer PBS.

Young adults (n = 203, 57 % female) completed a baseline assessment and 28-day ecological momentary assessment of drinking intentions, and number of drinks.

In total, 2,467 drinking days were captured (52% planned, 27% HID). Using more PBS was associated with lower odds of HID (relative to HED but not moderate drinking), and fewer consequences, partially supporting our first hypothesis. PBS did not moderate effects of planned drinking on HID or negative consequence odds. On planned (vs unplanned) HID days, fewer PBS were used, supporting our third hypothesis.

Planning to drink is linked reliably to heavier drinking and negative consequences, but day-level associations between PBS and risky drinking are complex. PBS appear to have less impact on consequences when drinking is planned. When HID in particular is planned, fewer PBS are used. For days when HID is planned, real-time reminders of PBS may add value to intervention efforts.