Drunk patients can't guess their BAC — study aims to use the gap to spark change

NCT ID NCT03998397

Completed Knowledge-focused Sponsor: Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Amiens Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study looked at how accurately patients with alcohol intoxication in the emergency department estimate their own blood alcohol concentration (BAC) compared to a real blood test. Researchers enrolled 34 adults aged 15-64 with a BAC of 60 mg/dL or higher. The goal was to see if showing patients the difference between their guess and the actual number could increase their awareness and motivation to seek treatment for alcohol use disorder.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

What this could lead to: If successful, this could help doctors use the comparison between self-estimated and actual blood alcohol levels to motivate patients with alcohol use disorder to seek treatment.
What could go wrong: This is a small, completed observational study with only 34 participants, so results may not apply to larger populations. It does not test a treatment, so it cannot directly improve health.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

alcohol abuse Emergencies poisoning

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

ALCOHOL USE DISORDER BLOOD ALCOHOL CONTENT

Contacts and locations

Locations

CHU Amiens

Amiens, 80480, France

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