This study estimates the prevalence, assesses predictors and evaluates factors associated with concurrent and simultaneous use of drugs and alcohol in the United States population. Using data from the 2000 National Alcohol Survey (n=7612), respondents were asked if they used specific drugs in the last 12 months. Current drinkers who reported using each type of drug were asked if they used alcohol and the drug at the same time. Approximately 10% reported using marijuana in the last 12 months (concurrent use); 7% reported drinking alcohol and using marijuana at the same time (simultaneous use). Approximately 5% of current drinkers reported using drugs other than marijuana in the last 12 months; 1.7% reported drinking alcohol and using drugs other than marijuana at the same time. Being younger, having less than a high school education, not having a regular partner and having heavier drinking patterns were associated with using alcohol and marijuana simultaneously. Simultaneous use of marijuana and alcohol as well as other drugs and alcohol were significantly related to social consequences, alcohol dependence, and depression. These results mirror clinical populations in which increasingly younger clients report use of alcohol and drugs and need treatment for both.

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The literature on the validity of self-reported alcohol consumption and alcohol problems was reviewed. Studies done in this area were analyzed by type of sample, by specific behaviour which was validated and by criterion chosen as the standard to which the behaviour would be compared. Despite the usual conclusion of validity studies that self-reports are basically valid, variation exists depending upon what is being validated and how its accuracy is measured. Recent reports of consumption are validated more easily than drinking patterns measured in drinking practices surveys (as evidenced by coverage rates of surveys to sales statistics ranging from 40-60%). In addition, collateral reports by significant others do not necessarily yield better information on consumption. In the area of alcohol problems, only a few, highly 'visible' problems can realistically be validated. Thus, the reporting of drinking driving arrests can be better validated than tremors or other physical manifestations. It is concluded that more emphasis should be placed on developing new ways to validate alcohol consumption and alcohol problems so that researchers can continue to refine their data collection techniques in order to maintain confidence in their findings.

SummaryRecently, there has been increased attention to the validity of self‐reported alcohol use. Yet, much of the literature appears to be inappropriately seeking the definitive answer to a relative question, e.g. are self‐reports of alcohol use valid?. The literature on the validity of self‐reported alcohol use was reviewed with a primary focus on concurrent criterion‐oriented validity. Validity studies using collateral reports, diaries, official records, different interviewing methods, laboratory tests and multiple measures were assessed. It is concluded that research on the validity of self‐reported alcohol use should emphasize the interactions of the respondent, the interviewer, the information being obtained and the context of the interview to determine under which conditions valid responses can be maximized. Further, research on validity should focus on specific processes involved in providing accurate responses. Emphasis should be placed on developing a range of strategies and determining their appropriateness for obtaining more accurate reports from specific populations.

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The results suggest that although there are few differences in alcohol consumption estimates by interview mode, telephone samples may need to be supplemented or estimates adjusted by income level in order to attain equivalent results.

To assess the short-term effect of retirement on mental health and health behaviors of members of a health maintenance organization aged 60-66, questionnaires were completed in 1985 and 1987 by employed members planning to retire during the study period and those not planning to retire. Mental health and health behaviors of members who actually retired (n = 320) were compared with those members who did not retire (n = 275). Using logistic regression controlling for age, gender, marital status, and education, we found that retired members were more likely to have lower stress levels and to engage in regular exercise more often as compared to those who did not retire during the study period. Retired women were more likely to report no alcohol problems as compared to nonretired women. There were no differences between the groups on self-reported mental health status, coping, depression, smoking, alcohol consumption, and frequency of drunkenness. These findings underscore the importance of assessing positive benefits associated with retirement and call for further evaluation of whether these benefits persist over time.

Binge drinking is a substantial and growing health problem. Community norms about drinking and drunkenness may influence individual drinking problems. Using data from the New York Social Environment Study (n = 4,000) conducted in 2005, the authors examined the relation between aspects of the neighborhood drinking culture and individual alcohol use. They applied methods to address social stratification and social selection, both of which are challenges to interpreting neighborhood research. In adjusted models, permissive neighborhood drinking norms were associated with moderate drinking (odds ratio (OR) = 1.28, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05, 1.55) but not binge drinking; however, social network and individual drinking norms accounted for this association. By contrast, permissive neighborhood drunkenness norms were associated with more moderate drinking (OR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.39) and binge drinking (OR = 1.92, 95% CI: 1.44, 2.56); the binge drinking association remained after adjustment for social network and individual drunkenness norms (OR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.20, 2.08). Drunkenness norms were more strongly associated with binge drinking for women than for men (p(interaction) = 0.006). Propensity distributions and adjustment for drinking history suggested that social stratification and social selection, respectively, were not plausible explanations for the observed results. Analyses that consider social and structural factors that shape harmful drinking may inform efforts targeting the problematic aspects of alcohol consumption.