A COMPARISON OF ALCOHOL SCREENING INSTRUMENTS AMONG UNDER-AGED DRINKERS TREATED IN EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS

Authors:
  • JDJohn E. Donovan
    John E. Donovan
  • JKJanet M. Kinnane
    Janet M. Kinnane
  • DTDavid M. C. D. Taylor
    David M. C. D. Taylor
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Abstract
— Aims: Few studies have examined the adequacy of adult-validated alcohol screening measures when used with adolescents and young adults. A total of 103 subjects (55 males, 48 females) participated in a study of alcohol use among under-aged drinkers conducted in two emergency departments. Methods: Participants completed three brief screening instruments for problematic alcohol use: the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT); a modified version of the TWEAK; and the CAGE. Results and Conclusions: Missing data on the TWEAK, lower internal consistency for the TWEAK and CAGE, and the better ability of the AUDIT to differentiate problem drinkers from non-problem drinkers, suggest that the AUDIT performs best in screening for problematic alcohol use among under-aged drinkers treated in emergency departments.