Vickery CD, Sherer M, Nick TG, Nakase-Richardson R, Corrigan JD, Hammond F, Macciocchi S, Ripley DL, Sander A. Relationships among premorbid alcohol use, acute intoxication, and early functional status after traumatic brain injury.To investigate the relationships among intoxication at time of injury, preinjury history of problem drinking, and early functional status in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI).Prospective cohort study.Acute inpatient TBI rehabilitation.Participants were 1748 persons with TBI.Not applicable.Blood alcohol levels (BALs) were obtained at admission to the emergency department, and a history of problem drinking was obtained through interview. Study outcomes, Disability Rating Scale (DRS), and FIM instrument scores were gathered at admission to inpatient rehabilitation.Multivariate regression analysis revealed that BAL and a history of binge drinking were predictive of DRS, but not FIM, scores. A higher BAL was associated with poorer functional status on the DRS. Paradoxically, a history of binge drinking was associated with more intact functional status on the DRS.The relationships among intoxication at time of injury, history of problem drinking, and early outcome after TBI were modest. Injury severity had a more significant association with TBI functional status.