Sweat-patch testing detects inaccurate self-reports of alcohol consumption.

The object of this study was to measure how accurately drinkers report their consumption of alcohol. Twenty-two normal volunteers kept a written record of all alcoholic beverages they consumed in 1 week. During the same period, their actual intake was monitored by the sweat-patch test for alcohol consumption. Only nine subjects (40.9%) reported their alcohol consumption accurately; two (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. These data suggest that self-reported claims concerning alcohol consumption or abstinence should be received with a degree of skepticism, and that greater emphasis should be placed upon objective laboratory tests for the diagnosis of alcohol abuse.