Timeline Followback.
TLFB
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
- Provisionally grouped under
- 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)
- 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Licence classification is a research judgement by the catalogue’s authors, not legal advice, and it can be out of date.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.
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