Prevalence of alcoholism and related problems: some difficulties in conducting surveys

Abstract

This paper presents some methodological difficulties in studying the prevalence of alcoholism and alcohol abuse. It discusses the definition of alcoholic and his identification by instruments used in surveys. The advantages and disadvantages of different types of research desings for estimating the prevalence of alcoholism and alcohol-related problems are also discussed.

Alcoholism; Prevalence; Surveys; Epidemiology