Aims To explore the lived experiences of young adults with type one diabetes regarding how their chronic condition has impacted their behaviours around alcohol consumption and the associated risk-taking and glycaemic management.
Methods Fourteen semi-structured interviews were conducted amongst young adults aged between 18 and 25 years inclusive (mean age 21.14 (SD 2.21)) with type one diabetes who consume alcohol. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed to identify common themes regarding their experiences.
Results Three broad themes were elucidated: alcohol consumption increasing potentially harmful glycaemic risk-taking; the adaptation of alcohol consumption & glycaemic strategies; and the sources & quality of knowledge concerning the impact of alcohol on glycaemic management.
Conclusions This study provides new insights into how young adults with type one diabetes are engaging with alcohol consumption, the risks they are taking, and how they are managing their own behaviour to reduce those possible harms. These findings help to expand current understanding on these areas and highlights the importance for education around alcohol consumption to promote safety for these individuals. It also emphasises where current guidelines are falling-short in providing socially realistic solutions for these young people on how they can positively engage with alcohol. These findings can be used to direct the development of better clinical resources for these young adults in future.