The prevalence of alcohol abuse and dependence in two geographically distinct regions in Michigan: an UPRNet study

No definitive studies have been done to determine the frequency of alcohol dependence and abuse in selected sites in Michigan. Because the Upper Peninsula is geographically, economically, and culturally distinct from Lower Michigan there may be an increased prevalence of alcoholism compared to other parts of the state.

This study compared the responses of 292 Upper Peninsula residents to the responses of 225 lower peninsula residents in the Kalamazoo area on a questionnaire regarding alcohol consumption and health habits. The Revised Health Screening Survey, which has shown adequate validity and reliability for detecting alcohol dependence and abuse, was administered. In the Upper Peninsula each of 12 family practice clinics belonging to UPRNet, a rural primary care research network, were asked to randomly recruit 24 patients to complete the questionnaires.

Results showed that the percentage of alcohol dependent subjects in the three Kalamazoo clinics was 16%, while the overall percentage for all UP clinics was 12%. Chi-square analysis indicated no significant differences between the samples.

The widely held belief that people who live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan have a higher rate of alcohol dependence and abuse than people in other parts of the state was not found to be true in this primary care outpatient population.