Women Alcoholics: Prevalence Estimates and Their Problems as Reflected in Turn-of-the-Century Institutional Data

Abstract

Prevalence estimates of women alcoholics first appeared in the late 19th century; and between 1884-1912, data on some 24,200 institutionalized alcoholics produced male-female patient ratios ranging from 3:1 to 9:1. These estimates suffered from some of the same difficulties inherent in modern prevalence figures: hidden alcoholism and a lack of treatment facilities caused the data to underreport women, while patient sex ratios varied by socioeconomic status. These data problems are largely unresolved and securing reliable prevalence information on women alcoholics remains a frustrating matter for both the social hisotrian and the modern alcohol researcher.