How Much is Too Much? Estimates of hazardous drinking based on clients' self-reports

Summary

The utility of an empirically determined criteria of consumption for determining problem from problem-free drinking in treated clients was assessed. The criterion used was an average of four or more drinks/on an average of 3 or more days per week. Subjects were 55 early-stage problem drinkers followed-up after treatment and categorized as ‘problem’ or ‘problem-free’ on the basis of their self-reports. Significantly higher levels of alcohol consumption were obtained for the problem group. While the mean quantity and frequency of drinking of this group were above both criterion levels, the mean quantity and frequency of the problem-free group were below. Self-reported drinking was corroborated by independent measures of GGT (gamma glutamyl transpeptidase). Of the subjects who exceeded both criteria 77% reported problems, of those who were below both criteria 4.5% had problems, and of those who were above only one criterion about 40% reported problems. These findings can be useful to clinicians, as a rule of thumb, in assisting problem drinkers who wish to reduce their alochol intake to non-hazardous levels.