The incidence and severity of hangover the morning after moderate alcohol intoxication

Abstract

Aims: To determine the incidence and covariates of hangover following a night of moderate alcohol consumption at a targeted breath alcohol level. Design: Data were combined from three randomized cross-over trials investigating the effects of heavy drinking on next-day performance. A total of 172 participants received either alcoholic beverage (mean = 0.115 g% breath alcohol concentration) or placebo on one night and the other beverage a week later. The next day, participants completed a hangover scale. Participants: Participants were 54 professional merchant mariners attending a recertification course at Kalmar Maritime Academy (Kalmar, Sweden) and 118 university students or recent graduates recruited from greater Boston. Setting: One trial was conducted at Kalmar Maritime Academy (Sweden); the other two were conducted at the General Clinical Research Center at Boston Medical Center. Measurements: A nine-item scale assessed hangover. Findings: Hangover was reported by 76% of participants. Neither alcoholic beverage type nor participant characteristics was associated with incidence of hangover. Conclusions: Our findings on the propensity of hangover suggest that 25-30% of drinkers may be resistant to hangover. © 2008 The Authors.