To summarize, there are a number of key differences between the methods and measures employed by NESARC and NLAES that could affect reported prevalences. These include the following: (1) differences in the response format and coding, (2) differences in the number and specific content of items assessing the abuse and dependence criteria sets, (3) differences in how recurrence/duration of events are considered, and (4) different definitions of lifetime abstention. Given that it was impossible to directly manipulate, and thus test, the influence of most of these factors on the discrepant estimates, a more detailed description of the disparities between the two datasets is provided below. However, since the use of the recurrence/duration criterion within NLAES could be manipulated, lifetime prevalences of alcohol abuse and AUDs, with and without these criteria, were estimated. The results, and discussion of these results, are presented below.
