Aims

To support the free and open dissemination of research findings and information on alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. To encourage open access to peer-reviewed articles free for all to view.

For full versions of posted research articles readers are encouraged to email requests for "electronic reprints" (text file, PDF files, FAX copies) to the corresponding or lead author, who is highlighted in the posting.

___________________________________________

Thursday, April 26, 2007

News Release: Women’s Early Drinking Problems More Likely to Escape Diagnosis

By M. C. Tapera, Contributing Writer
Health Behavior News Service


Men are more likely than women to experience many of the problems commonly associated with nondependent drinking, according to a new study. But the authors suggest women are prone to different alcohol-related problems that are less likely to be diagnosed.

Penny Nichol, co-author and quantitative psychologist, said the current study is distinguished by how specifically it measures alcohol problems: “We’re not comparing just any man and any woman; we’re comparing men and women with similar levels of problems.”

Balancing such comparisons allowed the University of Minnesota researchers to explore an underlying question: Are the criteria for alcohol abuse and dependence as accurate for women as for men? Nichols said it’s possible that studies “aren’t looking at the correct symptoms” for women.

. . . . .READ FULL NEWS RELEASE
__________________________________________________________________________

at