Total alcohol consumption and hangover severity patterns

Introduction: The alcohol hangover refers to the combination of mental and physical symptoms experienced the day after a single episode of heavy drinking, starting when blood alcohol concentration approaches zero. The aim of this study is to examine different patterns of hangover severity during the day, and how these relate to total alcohol consumption. Methods: N = 727 students from Utrecht University completed an online survey regarding their latest heavy drinking session. Overall hangover severity, for every 2 hours after waking up (4 am until 12 pm), was rated on a scale from 0 (absent) to 10 (extreme). For each drinker these scores were plotted over time and the resulting pattern was visually allocated to one of the 6 possible severity types. These were; (Type 1) gradually decreasing, (Type 2) stable, (Type 3) parabolic, (Type 4) gradually increasing, (Type 5) hyperbolic, and (Type 6) all other. The 3 most dominant types were compared, on demographics, drinking characteristics and overall hangover severity, with ANOVA or an independent sample Mann-Whitney U test. Results: More than 95% of all the participants could be allocated to Type 1 (54.5%), Type 2 (19.1%), or Type 3 (21.9%). No significant differences were found between the participants regarding demographics. However, participant assigned to Type 2 consumed significant less alcohol on the evening before the hangover. They also had a significantly lower overall hangover severity score compared to participants allocated to Severity Type 1 or 3. No significant differences between Type 1 and Type 3 were found. Conclusion: A continuous decline of hangover severity was the most commonly observed pattern. Further research should investigate the relationship between Severity types and the presence and severity of individual hangover symptoms.