People With Tattoos Drink More Alcohol, Shows New Study From France

By: MyHealthNewsDaily Staff
Published: 04/16/2012 04:22 PM EDT on MyHealthNewsDaily

People with tattoos drink more than their tattoo-less peers, a new study from France suggests.

The researchers asked nearly 3,000 young men and women as they were exiting bars on a Saturday night if they would take a breathalyzer test. Of those who agreed to take it, the researchers found that people with tattoos had consumed more alcohol than those without tattoos, the researchers said.

Previous studies have shown that tattooed individuals are more likely to engage in risky behaviors, such as unprotected sex, theft, violence and alcohol consumption, compared to people without tattoos.

The researchers suggest educators, parents and physicians consider tattoos and piercings as potential "markers" of drinking, using them to begin a conversation about alcohol consumption and other risky behaviors.

However, doctors should not stereotype individuals with tattoos as heavy drinkers, the researchers cautioned.

Clinicians should spend time "talking to them about safe tattooing, etc., and alcohol in general … not because they have tattoos or piercings but because they are in a high-risk age group," Myrna Armstrong, Professor Emerita at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, who was not involved in the study, said in a statement.

Previous studies have also shown those with only one tattoo have similar alcohol consumption habits as those with no tattoos, while those with seven or more tattoos are more likely to fall into the "high risk" group, Armstrong said.

The study is published in the July issue of the journal Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research.

Pass it on:  People with tattoos drink more alcohol than people without tattoos, according to a study in France.

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Comments

[KailiC]

12:10 AM on 10/13/2012

I have two tattoos. Both are for personal reasons and both are small. Both are easily covered up when they need to be. I thought for two years before I got both of them. I don't drink or do anything "high-risk". I'm not offended by the article, I'm just taken aback by the comments. Everyone has a right to their own opinions, I just feel like some of these opinions about tattoos are founded under the wrong circumstances. Yes, some people do get tattoos for attention and yes, some people do in fact get tattoos when they were drunk, but their are all kinds of things people do that we will never understand. It's their life and their body. It's not hurting you. My tattoos are very dear to my heart and I thought long and hard before I got either of them. I did not do it for attention. I got them because they were important to me. I guess all I'm trying to say is that people get tattoos for all kinds of reasons. No one is the same and you can't expect everyone to hold up to your own expectations for yourself. I'm not trying to offend or be mean to anyone in any way and I'm sorry if I came off that way. It's okay if you disagree with me. To each their own. :)

[stepfordhusband]

09:03 AM on 05/15/2012

With the rise of tattooing with people of a certain age I often wonder what were their motivations and what personality traits do they have in common. Clothing has always been a way to define how we see ourselves and how we want the world to see us however tattoos inherent permanence must attract a certain type. I'm sure there are or will be many people of a generation that regret their "fit in" ink in the future but others with multiple, limb covering tattoos might show a lack of control and possible addictive traits.

[eyeswideopen18]

07:32 PM on 05/17/2012

You are a SHEEP and FOLLOW the masses... I bet you take pills prescribed by a dr. because they are good for you!!!

[Charles Rady]

08:13 AM on 05/15/2012

Who funded this? Can anyone say "obvious?!?!?!" Don't stereotype them? But you just said you gave us scientific "proof" that it is true. Not a stereotype then , is it?

[bogeychef]

04:33 PM on 05/14/2012

I want to do a study on people who listen to Rock & Roll and Marijuana. Cause I have no idea how that will turn out.

[stepfordhusband]

09:08 AM on 05/15/2012

I have heard from the mouths of people with full body, full arm full leg tattoos that it is somewhat addictive. The very feeling of the needle on their flesh is comforting and they do not feel the pain. I'm not a shrink but i suspect confusing pain and pleasure might mean something more than needing attention when walking outside.

[bogeychef]

12:51 PM on 05/15/2012

Tatted people are more likely to party, there is you analysis. stop 10 random people in a bar, then stop 10 random people at a train station, repeat. You will find more tats in the bar every time.

[bogeychef]

04:30 PM on 05/14/2012

GTFO....Really! I need to get paid to do a research project like that.

[gravityhunter]

11:49 AM on 05/13/2012

I find it amusing how far the practice of getting a tattoo has come. It really seems to have taken 1st place as the biggest trend/fashion or personal statement ever. EVERYONE, it seems, must have one. I've seen grandmas with 'em, children with 'em and Cher and Britney. I mean just how cool is it to jump on the band-wagon and follow everyone else? NOT having one has now become the new cool alternative....(just a personal observation)......

[bogeychef]

04:31 PM on 05/14/2012

I am ink free.

[James Brown]

02:23 AM on 05/13/2012

I once saw my grandmothers tat - holy crap. I'm scarred for life.

[eyeswideopen18]

06:39 PM on 05/11/2012

My husband and I have more tattoos then most people we know and we don't drink alcohol at all!!! I have both arms sleeved and my foot, he has both arms, stomach, chest, back, calves and feet... I'm calling BS... Another reason for people to judge a book by it's cover!!!

[stepfordhusband]

09:10 AM on 05/15/2012

I bet you wear clothes that make sure everyone has to look at them too. Maybe you are addicted to getting attention good or bad?

[eyeswideopen18]

07:31 PM on 05/17/2012

You don't know me... I actually am told by my husband that I dress down and should show OFF MORE!!! So thank you for making such a brilliant statement...I don't need attention!!! I have a brain and I am pretty, that is all I need... I started getting tattoos because I wanted them and I like them and I HAVE A HIGH PAIN TOLERANCE!!! I feel like I am getting a massage and it is relaxing to me... You sir are the reason people JUDGE OTHERS... You are not the higher power SIR therefore keep your unintelligent comments to yourself... AND FYI your name STEPFORDHUSBAND gives away the fact you don't have a working brain!!! I've read the book and watched the original movie!!!

[omg1952]

11:42 AM on 05/11/2012

Really? i have more than 10 and i don't drink....did that just throw this study off? What a ridiculous "study". profiling are we?!

[omg1952]

12:02 PM on 05/11/2012

sorry...profiling/stereotyping.....

[stepfordhusband]

09:12 AM on 05/15/2012

Only 10? Why not 20? Not knowing when to stop an activity is a sign of an addictive personality whether it is over working, eating, shopping or drinking.

[omg1952]

11:26 AM on 05/15/2012

well, I will be getting another this summer.  It is my body, and my right as an American to do so....or did the laws change.  Every one of my tattoo's has meaning, they are not just random, "drunken" choices.  Eash was thought out for weeks, prior to the process. I am an intellegent, professional woman, and you, sir, are a fool.

[notmytime]

08:12 PM on 05/10/2012

that seals the deal, I'm gonna have to get more tattoos than just the one!

[stepfordhusband]

09:12 AM on 05/15/2012

May I suggest "DUH".

[cincijuggalette]

03:02 PM on 05/10/2012

Do you know how many people there are all over the world that have tattoos? People from all walks of life have them, including accountants, lawyers and teachers. According to this study, all of these people are supposed to be drunkards? That's ridiculous.

[stepfordhusband]

09:14 AM on 05/15/2012

Read the article again. People with many tattoos were shown to drink more than those with a single or no tattoos. The connection to substance abuse is going to far and not realizing it.

[cincijuggalette]

09:32 AM on 05/15/2012

Yes, i know what it says. But these conclusions could easily be biased on ones thoughts of tattoos. And they did study people at a bar - the number of people that had tattoos could have been greater just by the location of this bar or even the type of bar that it was. (i.e. Biker bars would have a higher number of people with tattoos. Or in a urban area. etc.)

[flummoxed1]

04:45 PM on 05/09/2012

I think the study is backwards. From some of the tattoos I've seen, people had to have been drunk in the first place before deciding to get their tattoos. What they drank after that would be irrelevant, unless they are trying to drown the shame experienced by eternally wearing a really bad tattoo.

[Sunlogic]

08:15 PM on 05/03/2012

I have a tat. . .just sayin'

[jpaigepost2]

10:21 AM on 05/03/2012

Um -- I beg to differ. I have 2 tattoos and I rarely drink. And IF IF IF IF I do have a drink, I barely get through HALF of it.

[stepfordhusband]

09:15 AM on 05/15/2012

Read the article again it is not about you even though I think people with tattoos want to make it all about them.

[transe]

10:24 AM on 05/02/2012

well, i have 2 tattoos and i rarely drink........

[Ken Holden]

09:42 PM on 05/10/2012

It said people who drink tend to drink more is all .