Health effects from drinking: type, severity, and associated drinking patterns based on qualitative and quantitative questions in a methodological survey.
The specific content of reported health harms are explored in relation to heavy episodic drinking and alcohol dependence symptoms. A national telephone computer-assisted interview of U.S. adults (N = 635), was conducted in 1994. A modified National Alcohol Survey instrument assessed self-reported health harms and related economic costs and work missed. Among the 579 lifetime drinkers, 26% reported health harms from drinking. In multivariate logistic regression harms relating to intoxication, injuries or internal organs were associated with monthly heavy drinking (5+ drinks) and past dependence symptoms. Study limitations are noted. Dependence symptoms should be assessed in screening for those most at risk for alcohol-related health harms.
Lown
E Anne
EA
Alcohol Research Group, Public Health Institute, Berkeley, CA 94709, USA. alown@arg.org
Greenfield
Thomas K
TK
Rogers
John D
JD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010507:Periodicity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires