Alcohol use and problem drinking: Prevalences in the general Rotterdam population

Research was done on the distribution of abstinence, excessive drinking, alcohol-related problems, and problem drinking among the general population of Rotterdam, Netherlands in 1994. Prevalences are assessed among the total population and subpopulations defined by sex, age, marital status, educational level, daily activities, and income. A general population survey was conducted among a random sample of 8,000 Dutch inhabitants of Rotterdam in the 16-69 age range. The response rate; was 44% (N = 3,537). The majority of the respondents were ''light'' or ''moderate'' drinkers. Prevalences of excessive drinking, alcohol-related problems (1 or more), and problem drinking in the total population were 8, 28, and 9%, respectively. It is shown that women tend to report many alcohol-use-related problems considering their relatively low consumption pattern; young men have a high prevalence of problem drinking; being single, being unemployed, and being declared unfit to work are associated with problematic drinking. The results found for socioeconomic status appear to be inconsistent.