Sweat‐Patch Testing Detects Inaccurate Self‐Reports of Alcohol Consumption

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Abstract
This study measured how accurately drinkers reported their consumption of alcohol. Normal volunteers (22) kept a written record of all alcoholic beverages that they consumed in 1 wk. During the same period, their actual intake was monitored by the sweat-patch test for alcohol consumption. Only 9 subjects (40.9%) reported their alcohol consumption accurately; 2 (9.1%) overreported their intake and 11 (50%) underreported their intake. Five (22.7%) of those who underreported their consumption claimed to have drunk no alcohol at all, but elevated ethanol levels in their sweat-patch tests indicated otherwise. Apparently, self-reported claims concerning alcohol consumption or abstinence should be received with a degree of skepticism, and greater emphasis should be placed upon objective laboratory tests for the diagnosis of alcohol abuse.