Self-estimates and Objective Blood Alcohol Concentration in Emergency Department

Self-estimates and Objective Measurement of Blood Alcohol Concentration in Patients With Alcohol Intoxication Presenting to an Emergency Department

Many patients presenting in Emergency Department (ED) present alcohol acute intoxication. Some previous studies in general population found that young people under- or over-estimated of blood alcohol concentration (BAC). The hypothesis of the study is that self-estimation of BAC by the patient is under-estimated. Moreover, comparing self-estimation of BAC and objective measure of BAC, which is routinely performed in ED, could increase in patients the awareness of the disorders, increase motivation to change of the patient, and increase the rates of seeking-treatment six months after the first evaluation, in particular in patients with alcohol use disorders.

To the investigators knowledge, there is no study investigating self-estimation, compared to objective measurement of blood alcohol concentration in patients with alcohol intoxication presenting to an Emergency Department (ED). The study will assess blood alcohol concentration and self-estimates of BAC, using the Subjective Effects of Alcohol Scale for Measuring Subjective Response to Alcohol in 100 patients with or without alcohol use disorders according to DSM-5 classification (using MINI scale and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients admitted in Emergency Department while intoxicated will be included in the study, including patients with or without alcohol use disorders according to DSM-5 classification.
• aged 15-64 years old
• patients who will be orally informed and receive a written summary
• blood alcohol concentration of 60mg/dl or higher
• Patients not opposed to participating in the study, who have received an oral and written information

Exclusion Criteria:

• Drug intoxication (cannabis, opiates, amphetamines, cocaine), psychotropic medication intoxication (benzodiazepines, antipsychotics), primary neurologic conditions, mental retardation, dementia, amnestic disorders, mental disorders due to a general, medical condition and substance-induced psychotic disorders.