Innovative alcohol use: assessing the prevalence of alcohol without liquid and other non-oral routes of alcohol administration

Background: Though case studies, media reports, and anecdotal evidence point to creative forms of alcohol use such as "eyeballing," inhalation through vaporizers and other "alcohol without liquid" (AWOL) devices, and "slimming" as a growing trend, no empirical study has assessed the veracity of these claims. The present study attempts to debunk, confirm, or alter the popular perception that young adults are administering alcohol in novel ways.

Methods: A self-report paper survey was administered to 2349 young adults selected for inclusion using a stratified random sampling technique. Respondents were asked to indicate all of the ways in which they had administered alcohol and presented options ranging from traditional oral consumption from a cup, can, or bottle to innovative techniques referenced by medical reports and news outlets. The prevalence of each form of innovative use was reported and explored.

Results: Innovative alcohol use was very rare in the sample. Only 25 of 2349 participants (1.1%) had engaged in one or more of the creative methods of alcohol consumption. Among these individuals, most reported either using an AWOL device and/or administering alcohol anally. Vaginal administration and "eyeballing" were only reported by three and one respondents, respectively.

Conclusions: It appears that innovative alcohol use is more than an urban legend but that innovative use, even among a population with high rates of alcohol and drug use, is rare. Regardless, physicians and emergency medical personnel need to be aware of and prepared for dealing with innovative alcohol use.