While I was validating the AUDIT – a tool widely used to quantify alcohol consumption and related problems – to the Sri Lankan context, although researchers and practitioners all over the world have been using it for decades, I faced many difficulties in translating its first three questions: the quantity-frequency questions.  However, I overcame the challenge.  Before explaining the method which could be adapted by anyone in any cultural setting, I again will describe the first three AUDIT questions and the challenges of using it. Keep in mind that these questions refer to the past 12 months from the date of…

The problem Estimating the amount of ethanol consumed accurately is difficult but essential to identify risk groups for alcohol-related problems.  The varying ethanol content in different alcohol brands becomes one of the main challenges. The ethanol content in different types of alcoholic beverages varies as follows; 5% in beer; 10% – 12% in wine, and 40% in spirits. Think of this question; How much pure ethanol is consumed by an individual when they drink two glasses of spirits?’ To answer this question, we need to know the percentage of pure ethanol in the particular spirit brand and the total amount…