Timeline Followback.

TLFB

What it measures

Retrospective daily-level quantification of substance use (alcohol, drugs, tobacco) over a defined window, typically 30 to 360 days, using a calendar and personal memory anchors

Length and format

Not item-based - a calendar-assisted retrospective interview over a chosen recall window. daily consumption entries (standard drinks, units, or use episodes) recorded on a calendar grid (clinician-rated/interview)

Language versions

15+ langs and adapted internationally for alcohol, cannabis, tobacco, gambling and sexual-behaviour timelines (approx)

Normative data

No normative data held in our reference library for this instrument. That is a statement about our library, not about the published literature.

Licence

open with attribution

Licence classification is a research judgement by the catalogue’s authors, not legal advice, and it can be out of date. Confirm terms with the copyright holder or publisher before using an instrument, especially for commercial use.

Reference

Sobell, L.C., & Sobell, M.B. (1992). Timeline Follow-Back: a technique for assessing self-reported alcohol consumption. In R.Z. Litten & J.P. Allen (Eds.), Measuring Alcohol Consumption (pp. 41-72). Totowa, NJ: Humana Press.