Limitations of this study are noted. First, the NLAES questionnaire included only a single question tapping into the relevant construct of craving. Data sources with more indicators of craving would be preferable. However, given the limited national data sources with measures of craving included in the questionnaire, the NLAES offers a unique dataset in which to examine this issue. Second, the NLAES survey was conducted in 1991–1992. Analyses comparing the alcohol diagnoses in the NLAES and its successor, the NESARC, have identified changes in prevalence of disorder and specific symptom items (Chou et al., 2005, Grant et al., 2004). In order to understand the comparability of the NLAES and NESARC, we conducted an initial IRT analysis on the base model of DSM-IV abuse and dependence criteria. Despite small variations in the magnitude of the estimates, the conclusions drawn were the same (results not shown). Additionally, responses are based on self-report and are subject to information bias. We limited the present analysis to past-12 month criteria to mitigate recall bias. As an online supplement to this report, we also analyzed lifetime
