The effects of low alcohol beverages on alcohol consumption and impairment.

ABSTRACT

We examined the effects of providing drinks with half the alcohol level on alcohol consumption and blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 4 patrons of a private club. Alcohol consumption was measured by observers and level of impairment was determined from breath samples obtained by digitalized ALERT (Alcohol Level Evaluation Road Tester) breath testing devices. An alternating treatments design was employed to compare the sessions during which people drank mixed drinks with their usual alcohol concentration with sessions during which they drank mixed drinks with half the alcohol concentration that cost half as much as the regular drinks. All 4 participants consumed less alcohol during sessions when they received drinks with the lower alcohol content. BAC was also less on all but two sessions during the low alcohol condition.