Hangover Predicts Residual Alcohol Effects on Psychomotor Vigilance the Morning After Intoxication

Abstract

Objectives Both hangover and performance deficits have been documented the day after drinking to intoxication after breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) has returned to near zero. But few studies have examined the relationship between hangover and post-intoxication performance. Method We performed secondary analyses of data from a previously reported controlled cross-over laboratory study to assess the relationship of hangover incidence and severity to sustained attention/reaction time the morning after drinking to about 0.11 g% BrAC. Relationships were investigated while controlling for gender, type of alcoholic beverage (bourbon or vodka), and neurocognitive performance after placebo. Results Hangover severity and neurocognitive performance were significantly correlated. Participants reporting stronger hangover were more impaired than those reporting little or no hangover. Comparing any to no hangover showed a trend in the same direction of effect. Conclusions More intense hangover may indicate less fitness for duty in workers in certain safety-sensitive occupations, with implications for occupational alcohol policies.

Hospital‐Admitted Injury Attributable to Alcohol

“…Several studies document injury victims’ self‐reports that alcohol consumption caused injury (Cherpitel et al., 2006; Sommers et al., 2000; Stephens, 1987). Consistent with those reports, laboratory studies show that alcohol impairs coordination and the ability to perceive and respond to hazards (Normand et al., 1994) and that hangover impairs neurocognitive performance and pyschomotor vigilance (Howland et al., 2010; Prat et al., 2008; Rohsenow et al., 2010). It is difficult, however, to assess the impact on injury risk in the uncontrolled setting of real life (Hingson et al., 2001; Morrow et al., 1991; Tornros and Laurell, 1991; Wolkenberg et al., 1975; Yesavage and Leirer, 1986).…”

“…Alcohol‐impaired psychomotor skills pose a risk. Laboratory studies find that alcohol impairs reaction time, ability to divide attention, motor skills, coordination, memory, and decision making (Howland et al., 2010; Normand et al., 1994). Whether the impairment results in injury in real life depends on factors such as the dose and timing of alcohol intake, the drinker’s ability to perform under the influence (functional tolerance), and the task being performed.…”

Alcohol consumption in the Australian coal mining industry

“…Single-occasion drinking has been associated with a number of serious health consequences,25 and can have a profound impact on workplace productivity 26. While this is a contentious area of research4 there is some evidence to show that following a night of excessive alcohol use, performance in tasks involving repetition, reaction time and decision-making may be significantly impaired 27. The high proportion of employees who reported single-occasion drinking in this study provides further support that the industry may benefit from implementing health promotion programmes which include a focus on alcohol use outside of the workplace.…”

Understanding the hangover experience in Canadian adults: A latent class analysis of hangover symptom patterns and their alcohol-related correlates

“…Hesse and Tutenges (2010) concluded there were no differences in hangover experience by sex (controlling for alcohol RUNNING HEAD: Alcohol hangover patterns and correlates in Canadian Adults 5 consumption in holidaymakers at a beach resort). Howland et al (2010) also found few sex differences in hangover experience when the breath alcohol levels were controlled for in a laboratory setting. However, women were more likely to experience hangover symptoms even though they typically drank less than men.…”