Quantity per occasion and consequences of drinking: a reconsideration and recommendation

Research and methodological analyses having implications for measurement of patterns of consumption of alcohol are reviewed. The importance of estimating quantity per occasion, especially maximum, in addition to average volume of intake when investigating consequences of alcohol abuse is established. Problems with commonly used indicators of styles of consumption are identified and a new Volume-Maximum Index overcoming a number of these is proposed. Initial results having a bearing on construct validity are summarized, based on a 2-year longitudinal survey of university students. Several applications for such an indicator are discussed, with particular attention to evaluating prevention and treatment programs for young problem drinkers.