Underestimation of Recalled Alcohol Intake in Relation to Actual Consumption

Summary Drinking of 58 males was observed for six evening hours in simulated restaurant surroundings. Interviews on alcohol consumption were carried out the next day (in two cases two days) after the drinking session. Recalled mean number of drinks was ten drinks, the actual mean intake 11 drinks. Degree of underestimation in recall was positively associated with the actual amount imbibed. On the average, heavy consumers underestimated their intake by 12 per cent and light consumers by four percent.