Definitions of Drunkenness

Abstract

This study examined definitions of drunkenness in a general population using both quantitative and qualitative data. Using data from 1366 adult current drinkers from the 1995 National Alcohol Survey, frequency of drunkenness and number of drinks to feel drunk were compared. Qualitative data from 58 current drinkers were also examined to determine how they define drunkenness. Overall, there is a positive linear relationship between frequency of drunkenness and number of drinks to feel drunk. For women, the mean number of drinks to feel drunk is below five in all age and ethnicity categories. Several themes emerged from the qualitative data to describe drunkenness that were both negative and positive. These results suggest a possible reframing of how we measure at-risk drinking; a "one-size-fits-all" question of five or more drinks may not be the best way to assess risk for women.