Lifetime alcohol abstainers and moderate drinkers have a lower lifetime prevalence of mood and anxiety disorders than problem drinkers.

Population: 13 781 respondents from the National Comorbidity Survey (NCS; n = 6780; 21–54 years old, noninstitutionalised individuals) and the Mental Health Supplement of the Ontario Health Survey (OHS; n = 7001; 19–64 years old; province-wide survey), categorised into three groups based on lifetime alcohol consumption: alcohol abstainers, moderate drinkers, and problem drinkers. Abstainers reported never drinking more than 12 drinks in any one year, problem drinkers had received a DSM-III-R diagnosis of alcohol abuse, dependence or a subthreshold diagnosis of ‘‘hazardous alcohol use’’, and all other respondents were categorised as moderate drinkers. The NCS study defined ‘‘hazardous alcohol use’’ as 5– 11 drinks per day at least three times a week, 12–19 drinks per day at least once a month, or .20 drinks per day at least once a month. The OHS study defined ‘‘hazardous alcohol use’’ as 5–7 drinks per day at least three times a week, 8–11 drinks per day at least once a week, or .12 drinks per day at least once a month.