Comparison of three methods to assess binge consumption: One‐week retrospective drinking diary, audit, and quantity/frequency

Binge consumption contributes substantially to the occurrence of alcohol‐related harm. Despite its importance, binge drinking is not well defined in the literature. The present study examines the proportions of respondents identified as binge drinkers by three separate measures: a 1‐week retrospective drinking diary (RD), the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), and a quantity/frequency (QF) question. Overall, AUDIT detected the highest proportion of binge drinkers, followed by QF and RD. There was also good agreement between QF and RD, as well as QF and AUDIT. Ultimately, the measure of choice should be that which provides information most appropriate to the purposes of each study.

Key words:

• alcohol
• measures
• binge drinking
• consumption

Notes

Hunter Centre for Health Advancement and Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia.

Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia.

To whom correspondence should be addressed at Hunter Centre for Health Advancement, Locked Bag No. 10, Wallsend, NSW, 2287, Australia.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Anthony P. Shakeshaft

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