The Prevalence of Problem Drinking and Alcoholism in the West of Scotland

A 10 per cent probability sample of the population of Clydebank was interviewed, using an indirect questionnaire, to assess the extent of alcohol-related disabilities. Eighty-two per cent of 4,397 persons gave information and weighted symptom-scoring analysis showed 5.0 per cent of adult males and 1.1 per cent of adult females could be classified as problem drinkers and 5.2 per cent and 0.5 per cent respectively could be labelled alcoholics. These figures are compared to existing Scottish and English alcoholism prevalence statistics.