Family history of alcoholism was assessed separately for mothers and fathers. The interviewer stated the following before asking for family history: “Now I would like to ask you some questions about whether any of your relatives, regardless of whether or not they are now living, have EVER been alcoholics or problem drinkers. By alcoholic or problem drinker, I mean a person who has physical or emotional problems because of drinking [PAUSE]; problems with a spouse, family, or friends because of drinking [PAUSE]; problems at work or school because of drinking [PAUSE]; problems with the police because of drinking-such as drunk driving [PAUSE]; or a person who seems to spend a lot of time drinking or being hungover. [Repeat definition frequently]” Subsequent to this introduction, respondents were asked “Has your blood or natural father (mother) been an alcoholic or problem drinker at ANY time in his (her) life?” Responses were coded as Yes, No, and Don’t Know, with the last type removed from data analyses.
