Alcohol consumption in 50 men alcoholics and a matched control group in Scotland.

Abstract

To examine the discriminatory value of Schmidt and de Lint''s criterion of alcoholism (average daily consumption of 15 cl of absolute alcohol), data on average weekly consumption were obtained from 50 men in the Alcoholism Unit of the Royal Edinburgh Hospital and from a control group of 50 men matched for age and social class. Controls (3) reported drinking more and alcoholics (3) less than the equivalent of 15 cl of alcohol daily. Of the 3 alcoholics, 2 denied excessive alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems and 1 was a bout drinker. The 3 men in the control group who met the Schmidt and de Lint criterion reported having alcoholic amnesias or morning tremors at least once a week and having alcohol-related problems both at home and at work. The use of the cutoff point of 15 cl yielded misclassification in 6%.