- What is the purpose of the test?
- What method is the new Alkoholprofilen based on?
- Where do the comparative figures come from?
- What do the terms “moderate” and “a lot” mean in your questions?
- Why is the calendar one month long?
- What do I do if I only drink “a lot” a few times during the year?
What is the purpose of the test?
To offer people the opportunity to assess their own drinking habits as well as to compare themselves with others.
What method is the new Alkoholprofilen based on?
Most of the questions correspond with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) text ”AUDIT” which is utilized around the world to assess hazardous and harmful alcohol habits. Several scientific studies have proven that the method of mapping out one’s habits, receiving information about the risks and compare oneself with others, has resulted in that people, who drink a lot, have lowered their consumption.
Where do the comparative figures come from?
The information is gathered from Leifman H (2003),”Vem dricker mer alkohol i Sverige”, a study of the consumption development among women and men in different age brackets, 1990-2002. Nordisk Alkohol- och Narkotikatidskrift, 2003; vol 20:159-180. For additional information on the alcohol consumption in Sweden, please go to www.sorad.su.se or www.fhi.se.What do the terms “moderate” and “a lot” mean in your questions?
These terms can, of course, mean different things in different situations and for different people e.g. moderate alcohol consumption may imply low-risk drinking. The questions in the alkoholprofilen are based on your habits. The term “a lot” simply refers to when you drink more than usual and the term “moderate” when you drink the way you usually do.
Why is the calendar one month long?
We have chosen to use a month, instead of a week, which is commonly used in these tests, because we know that peoples’ drinking habits often vary during a month. It would be too complicated to use an entire year and difficult to remember how much one has consumed.
What do I do if I only drink “a lot” a few times during the year?
The best thing is to choose what you want to find out. If you would like to find out the risks involved when drinking the most (e.g. July or December), you fill out the form accordingly. If you rather find out what happens when you drink less, you choose that instead. You can also complete the profile twice in order to see the different results.