Drinking patterns among Swedish women: Results from a 5-year follow-up of a population-based study

The aims of this study were to: (1) document women's alcohol use over a 5-y ear period; (2) compare different measures of alcohol consumption such as h igh alcohol consumption (HAC) and high episodic drinking (HED); (3) to foll ow the incidence and course of alcohol dependence and abuse (ADA). The stud y is part of a longitudinal general population-based study, Women and Alcoh ol in Goteborg. From a stratified random sample of 479 respondents, 399 wer e interviewed in the first wave (1989/90). In the second wave (1995/96), 38 6 of the 479 women were available for a follow-up interview. The 12-month p revalence of ADA was 1.3% in both waves. In the longitudinal analysis the 5 -year cumulative incidence of ADA was 0.1%. Two new cases of ADA were found . The prevalence of HAC and HED decreased in women of all ages except HED i n women born in 1955. Wt conclude that the 12-month prevalence of ADA remai ned the same at the 5-year follow-up and that, in contrast to what has been found in some other studies, there was an overall decrease in HAC and in H ED.