Westermeyer J. Methodological issues in the epidemiological study of alcohol-drug problems: sources of confusion and misunderstanding.
THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE 1990;
16:47-55. [PMID:
2184662 DOI:
10.3109/00952999009001571]
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Abstract
Epidemiological research on psychoactive substance use disorders can and sometimes does lead to conclusions that are mutually conflicting. A current example is the apparent drop in substance use among adolescents in schools, with continuing high levels of substance-associated adolescent suicide, hospitalization, and crime. In an effort to clarify such differences, the author underscores the importance of understanding the three most common epidemiological methods. Each has different histories, advantages, liabilities, inherent value sets, and disparate-but-overlapping purposes.
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