Understanding the Motives, Contexts, and Consequences of Unplanned Versus Planned Drinking in Daily Life

Objective: Problematic alcohol use among college students remains a public health concern; thus, there is a need to understand distinct drinking events, such as unplanned and planned drinking. The present study examined motives and social and physical contexts as correlates of unplanned and planned drinking to help inform prevention and intervention. Method: College student alcohol and cannabis users (N = 341; 53% women) completed 56 days of data collection (two 28-day bursts) with five repeated daily surveys. Three-level generalized linear mixed-effects models were used to examine associations among motives, physical and social contexts, and unplanned versus planned drinking. We also examined whether unplanned or planned drinking resulted in greater consumption and negative consequences. Results: Social and enhancement motives were related to planned drinking, whereas offered motives (i.e., offers of alcohol) and coping motives were linked to unplanned drinking. Drinking at home, with roommates, or alone was associated with unplanned drinking. Drinking at a bar/restaurant, a party, at a friend's place, with friends, with strangers/acquaintances, with a significant other, or with intoxicated people was linked to planned drinking. Unplanned drinking was related to fewer drinks consumed and fewer negative consequences endorsed. Conclusions: Findings showed that planned drinking-irrespective of consumption-was related to more negative consequences than unplanned drinking. In addition to targeting intentions to drink, the present study provided specific motives and social and physical contexts that are associated with planned drinking that could be incorporated into ecological momentary interventions focused on harm reduction. Public Health Significance Statement This study identified that drinking for social reasons and to have fun is linked with planned drinking, whereas drinking to cope or because alcohol was offered is related to unplanned drinking. This study also showed several social and physical contexts that are associated with planned drinking (bar/restaurant, friend's place, party, with friends, with intoxicated people, with strangers/acquaintances) and unplanned drinking (at home, alone, with roommates). These findings also highlighted that planned drinking events were related to more alcohol consumption and negative consequences, and the motives and contexts associated with planned drinking could be incorporated into in-the-moment harm-reduction i