The follow-up interview, for which subjects were paid $25, used a subset of questions modified from the SSAGA regarding demography as well as alcohol and drug quantities, frequencies and problems. To keep the interview in this phase as short as possible, questions emphasized prior five-year alcohol problems using a timeframe a priori felt to be likely to remembered for events that included alcohol-related blackouts, difficulties maintaining drinking limits, spending much time using or recovering from effects, interpersonal or work/school problems, use in hazardous situations, problems cutting back or stopping use, alcohol-related health impairment, and signs of alcohol withdrawal. Reflecting concerns regarding the timeframe over which drinking quantities and frequencies would be likely to be remembered by individuals with AUDs in their sixties, these items were only queried regarding the 12-months prior to interview. Self-ratings of current physical and mental health were each scored on a 4-point scale from excellent to poor, and self-rating of memory on a 3-point scale of better, the same, or worse compared to other people their age.
