Citation

Patton R, Boniface S. Alcohol Alcohol. 2015; 51(3): 281-282.

Affiliation

Department of Addictions, King's College London, London SE5 8BB, UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Oxford University Press)

DOI

10.1093/alcalc/agv115

PMID

26433945

Abstract

AIM: Most published research utilizes an AUDIT score of >8 as the threshold for hazardous drinking. Recent research suggests that this limit should be amended for younger drinkers (aged 18-35 years). This study aimed to explore the effect of a revision to AUDIT cut scores.

METHOD: Applying Foxcroft et al.'s [(2015) Accuracy of Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test for detecting problem drinking in 18-35 year-olds in England: method comparison study. Alcohol Alcohol 50, 244-50] suggested cut off scores of nine for males and four for females to the most recent Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey (2007) data.

RESULTS: This more than doubles the prevalence of female hazardous drinkers, and significantly increases the overall rate for that age group when compared with the standard threshold of >8.

CONCLUSION: The prevalence of hazardous drinking among females ages 18-30 may be significantly higher than current estimates.

Language: en