Outcomes of Co‐Morbid Alcoholic Men: A 1‐Year Follow‐Up

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Abstract
In this prospective, 1‐year study, 360 males admitted to an inpatient alcoholism treatment program were administered a DSM‐III compatible structured interview and subtyped by co‐occurring psychiatric disorder. Forty percent satisfied diagnostic criteria for alcohol dependence while 27% met criteria for alcohol dependence and one additional psychiatric syndrome. The dually diagnosed patients were divided into: alcohol dependence plus drug abuse, alcohol dependence plus antisocial personality and alcohol dependence plus depression. These subtypes were compared on multiple dimensions at intake and at 1‐year follow‐up. At follow‐up, all groups showed significant improvement in drinking and psychosocial functioning. The results suggest that subtyping alcoholics by co‐morbid psychiatric disorders may be a good postdictor of clinical history, but a poor predictor of drinking outcome.