differences in dependence prevalence across them. These discrepancies appeared to be primarily attributable to how some symptoms (e.g., tolerance) were operationalized (see also Caetano & Babor, 2006, for a related issue). This problem becomes even more acute when comparing studies conducted using different nosologies (e.g., ICD vs. DSM, DSM-IV versus DSM-V). Attention to maintaining strict backward compatibility on subsets of individuals would do much towards distinguishing real from artifactual difference. The fact that this compatibility was not ensured between NLAES and NESARC causes confusion and represents a lost opportunity to provide directly comparable estimates of AUDs in two large, representative samples. Moreover, given that estimates from these datasets are used to inform public policy discussions involving the designation of resources for alcohol-related research, assessment, and treatment (e.g., Caetano, 2006), the lack of a convergent estimate of lifetime AUD prevalence is problematic.
