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Predictors of Breath Alcohol Profiles: A Multiple-Study Lab-Based Approach.

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Title: Predictors of Breath Alcohol Profiles: A Multiple-Study Lab-Based Approach.
Authors: Morgan DD; Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA., Dugan KA; Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA., Yan S; Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA., McCarthy DM; Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA., Trull TJ; Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA.
Source: Alcohol, clinical & experimental research [Alcohol Clin Exp Res (Hoboken)] 2026 Apr; Vol. 50 (4), pp. e70292.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Language: English
Journal Info: Publisher: Wiley Periodicals Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 9918609780906676 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 2993-7175 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 29937175 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Alcohol Clin Exp Res (Hoboken) Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s): Original Publication: Hoboken, NJ : Wiley Periodicals, [2023]-
MeSH Terms: Ethanol*/analysis , Ethanol*/administration & dosage , Binge Drinking*/diagnosis , Alcohol Drinking*, Breath Tests/methods ; Humans ; Male ; Female ; Blood Alcohol Content ; Predictive Value of Tests
Abstract: Background: Oral alcohol administration studies often show a range of breath alcohol content (BrAC) following alcohol ingestion, though examination of BrAC trajectories as distinct profiles has yet to be explored as well as potential predictors of these profiles.
Methods: Across two laboratory studies of oral alcohol administration with target blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) of 0.08% (N = 89) and 0.10% (N = 92) of emerging adults (Mage = 23.03) with a history of binge drinking, BrAC was captured every 15 min for seven intervals. Repeated measure latent profile analysis (RMLPA) was used to determine latent profiles of BrAC based on Akaike information criterion (AIC), Bayesian information criterion (BIC), and the bootstrapped likelihood ratio test (BLRT) for each study. Individual characteristics and prior alcohol use history were then examined as predictors of latent profile membership for the 0.10% BrAC study.
Results: A three-profile solution was replicated across the 0.08% and 0.10% BAC emerging adult samples, consisting of (1) high-fast risers (10%-16%) where individuals reach higher than anticipated BrAC and maintain high levels across the study period, (2) moderate risers (35%-42%) who reach target BrAC levels and show expected rise and fall in BrAC, and (3) low-slow risers (46%-47%) who remain under target BrAC and show consistent low levels of BrAC across the study period. Body mass index, total body water, and response to alcohol assisted in predicting individual membership in the 0.10% BrAC study and can aid in differentiating profiles.
Conclusion: BrAC profiles for emerging adult samples may follow a three-profile structure during lab-based oral alcohol administration. One's physical characteristics and response to alcohol may play a key role in differentiating BAC profiles and should be examined in the lab and natural environment.
(© 2026 Research Society on Alcohol.)
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Grant Information: T32AA013526 United States AA NIAAA NIH HHS; R01 AA019546 United States AA NIAAA NIH HHS; R01AA019546 United States AA NIAAA NIH HHS; R01AA027824 United States AA NIAAA NIH HHS; T32 AA013526 United States AA NIAAA NIH HHS; R01 AA027824 United States AA NIAAA NIH HHS
Contributed Indexing: Keywords: alcohol administration; breath alcohol content; drinking; repeated measure latent profile analysis
Substance Nomenclature: 3K9958V90M (Ethanol)
0 (Blood Alcohol Content)
Entry Date(s): Date Created: 20260408 Date Completed: 20260714 Latest Revision: 20260714
Update Code: 20260715
PubMed Central ID: PMC13093466
DOI: 10.1111/acer.70292
PMID: 41947408
Database: MEDLINE
Description
ISSN:2993-7175
DOI:10.1111/acer.70292