Online Drinking: An Exploratory Study of Alcohol Use and Intoxication during Internet Activity

Despite the commonplace use of the internet for socializing and recreating, little is known about alcohol use during online activity. This study investigates the prevalence of online drinking (drinking/ intoxication during internet use) in an American college student sample, differences in internet use associated with online drinking, consequences of online drinking, and the relationship between alcohol problems and internet addiction. Because social anxiety has been found to increase risk for both internet addiction and alcohol problems, this study also examines the relationship between social anxiety and online drinking. Results demonstrate that online drinking is commonplace, and tends to occur in conjunction with entertainment/social networking-based internet activities. For females, a significant positive correlation was found between scores on problem drinking and internet addiction screening measures. Online drinkers also had significantly higher internet addiction scores. Given the apparent lack of a role for social anxiety in explaining online drinking, other directions are proposed to advance this new area of research within the alcohol/addictions field.