Drinking in various settings as it relates to demographic variables and level of consumption: findings from a national survey in Canada.

Based on a large-scale 1989 national survey in Canada, the extent of drinking in different social settings is estimated. Home consumption accounts for the greatest share of total drinking. while drinking in licensed establishments accounts for approximately one-fourth of consumption. This estimate is externally validated against scales data. The set of questions on drinking venues produces estimates of individual's alcohol consumption which have higher coverage rates than the more commonly used quantity-frequency or recent occasion approaches. The distribution of total drinking in different settings is strongly related to demographic variables and individual level of consumption. In particular, drinking in bars and taverns is related to higher levels of drinking and self-reported drinking problems. The proportion of drinking in different venues is not strongly related to drinking problems, once demographic variables and individual consumption patterns are taken into account. This does not mean that drinking venue is not a significant factor in the development of problems--it may be via its impact on consumption level and heavy drinking occasions that drinking venue relates to drinking problems.