Effects of repeated breathalyzer use on BAC level and self-estimation accuracy

Alcohol is a leading contributor to death and a major risk factor for illness. Lifetime prevalence of DSM-5 alcohol use disorder (AUD) in the United States is 29.1%, with only 19.8% ever receiving treatment (Grant et al., 2015). AUD treatments often involve self-monitoring of alcohol use and improving awareness of intoxication. With the popularization of mobile health solutions, consumer-grade breathalyzers can be a useful, accessible tool for objectively self-monitoring blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and training people to accurately self-assess their intoxication. The current study analyzes nationwide proprietary breathalyzer data across a six-year period to investigate whether breathalyzer usage (Repeated Use) and the time elapsed since first breathalyzer use (Time) led to changes in BAC level and BAC self-estimation accuracy. The effects of BAC feedback on BAC level were examined in a sample of 1,450,151 observations. A subsample of 385,945 observations was used for BAC self-estimation accuracy models. In the mixed effects multilevel model with Repeated Use and Time as covariates, both led to an increase in BAC level; Repeated Use, b = 0.00032, t = 31.78, p < 0.0001; Time, b = 0.00001, t = 10.41, p < 0.0001. In the set of models examining how, as covariates, Repeated Use and Time affect BAC self-estimation accuracy, Repeated Use increased this accuracy (Absolute Difference, b = -0.00051, ERR = 0.99949 t = -3.99, p < 0.0001; Percentage Difference, b = -0.04647, t = -11.43, p < 0.0001), while Time decreased accuracy (Absolute Difference, b = 0.00008, ERR = 1.00008, t = 7.50, p < 0.0001; Percentage Difference, b = 0.00221, t = 6.96, p < 0.0001). Results point to complex outcomes linked with repeated BAC monitoring, indicating potential mixed utility for BAC self-monitoring interventions delivered in isolation. Future research might explore individual differences in effects of BAC monitoring, as well as person-level associations between BAC level and self-estimation accuracy.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2023

Author dc:creator

• Lu, Yang

Contributors dc:contributor

• Fairbairn, Catharine E.

• Alcohol
• Aud
• Self-monitoring
• Bac
• Self-awareness
• Intoxication
• Breathalyzer

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2023 Yang Lu

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/120591

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F120591