Gender, history of alcohol use and number of drinks consumed predict craving among drinkers in a field setting

• Data are collected in a naturalistic/field setting with 1320 bar patrons.
• We examine gender, AUDIT score and drinks consumed as predictors of alcohol craving.
• Women with high AUDIT scores or higher alcohol consumption report greatest craving.
• In men, high AUDIT scores alone predicted greater craving.
• Findings have implications for targeted intervention and prevention efforts.

To the extent that craving serves to compel excessive drinking, it would be important to predict the intensity of an individual's craving over the course of a drinking episode. Previous research indicates that regular alcohol use (measured by the AUDIT) and the number of drinks individuals have already consumed that evening independently predict craving to drink (Schoenmakers & Wiers, 2010). The current study aims to replicate those findings by testing whether these same variables predict craving to drink in a sample of 1320 bar patrons in a naturalistic setting. In addition, we extend those findings by testing whether regular alcohol use and self-reported number of drinks consumed interact to predict craving, and whether gender independently predicts craving or interacts with other variables to predict craving. Results indicate that for men, AUDIT score alone predicted craving, whereas for women, AUDIT score and number of drinks consumed interacted to predict craving, with craving highest among women with either high AUDIT scores or relatively high consumption levels. Our findings have implications for targeted intervention and prevention efforts, as women who have a history of harmful alcohol use and consume several drinks in an evening might be at the greatest risk for continued alcohol consumption.