"Know Your Numbers": An Approach to Reduce Heavy Alcohol Consumption in Young Adults

A recent study highlights that, although the "Know Your Numbers" (KYN) model has the potential to raise awareness about alcohol consumption, more prolonged and robust interventions are necessary to significantly impact young adults.

Harmful alcohol consumption, such as binge drinking, is a common issue among young adults, and current interventions like individual therapeutic programs, brief interventions, and modifying expectations regarding alcohol use have shown positive, albeit modest, effects. In general, research on current interventions suggests that there is little significant long-term behavioral change.

A promising alternative is the "Know Your Numbers" (KYN) model, successfully used to modify risk behaviors in campaigns related to cardiovascular diseases, such as American Heart Association´s campaigns. In this model, providing quantitative feedback, such as cholesterol levels, has been shown to be effective in raising awareness. However, no study has yet combined the KYN model with alcohol biomarkers (such as PEth—a blood biomarker for alcohol consumption, known as phosphatidylethanol) and AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) scores to create a quantitative risk indicator related to alcohol consumption.

A recent study evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of a four-week intervention based on the KYN model to motivate young adults to reduce dangerous levels of alcohol consumption. The main hypothesis proposed that awareness of AUDIT values and PEth levels would encourage positive behavioral changes. The goals included evaluating recruitment and retention strategies, examining the impact of the intervention on motivation for change, and measuring its preliminary effectiveness in reducing alcohol consumption. Additionally, the study aimed to analyze the acceptability of the KYN approach through focus groups (sessions where participants discuss their experiences with the intervention to provide qualitative feedback), which also offered suggestions for improvement.

Ninety-four young adults aged 18 to 30 who reported binge drinking in the past month were recruited. Participants with specific conditions, such as psychiatric treatment, a history of substance dependence, pregnancy, BMI over 30, or seizure disorders, were excluded. Overall, the strategy was effective, with 82.26% of individuals recruited and 76.9% retained after four weeks.

During the intervention, participants received personalized feedback based on PEth levels and AUDIT scores. A subgroup participated in reinforcement sessions after two weeks, and focus groups were held at the end to evaluate the experience. Motivation for change was measured by the Alcohol Contemplation Ladder, which showed a significant 62% increase (p < 0.001) from the beginning to the end of the intervention. However, despite this, many participants still showed indecision about changing behaviors. There was also a significant reduction in AUDIT scores, with 61% of participants reducing at least one point. Furthermore, the proportion of drinkers classified as "low risk" increased from 18% to 33%. However, there were no significant changes in average PEth levels, although 38% of participants reduced their consumption levels. Additionally, the frequency and intensity of binge drinking episodes remained unchanged.

Focus groups identified three main themes: satisfaction with the quantitative model, the need for more information about the risks associated with alcohol consumption, and a desire for a better understanding of PEth levels and their relationship to behavior. These results highlight the acceptance of the KYN model, which was considered feasible and met recruitment and retention goals. However, objective outcomes, such as reductions in binge drinking and changes in biomarkers, were limited. Factors such as the short duration of the intervention, seasonality, and participants' difficulty in understanding biometric data may have influenced the results, according to the article.

In conclusion, the KYN approach showed promise in raising awareness about alcohol consumption among young adults. It is important to note that longer and more robust interventions are necessary to achieve a greater impact on biomarkers and reduce binge drinking. The study authors recommend conducting randomized studies lasting 6 to 8 weeks and using technologies like real-time tracking apps, in addition to integrating behavioral strategies, such as goal setting and personalized reminders. They also emphasize that translating biometric data into practical and accessible actions is essential to increase the effectiveness of this approach for the young adult population.

References:

Piano, M. R., Hwang, C.-L., Adair, M., Muhimpundu, S., Dietrich, M. S., & Phillips, S. A. (2024). A pilot study of a quantitative approach to reduce binge drinking in young adults: Know your numbers. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 85(6), 788–793.