A comparison of 7-day recall with two summary measures of alcohol use

A 7-day recall measure of alcohol consumption was compared with two summary measures (a quantity/frequency scale and an overall summary measure) for 535 persons who had health examinations in a prepaid health plan. The data showed relatively strong correlations between the 7-day recall measure and the summary measures. Generally, the 7-day recall method yielded lower estimates when compared to the other two measures. These findings indicate that, imprecise as the measures may be, they all provide useful information. In addition, these findings do not support the assumption that measures of recent occasions yield higher estimates of alcohol consumed.