Drinking course in alcohol-dependent men from adolescence to midlife

Most studies of alcoholism course are based on clinical populations (characterized by severe and chronic alcohol-related problems) or community samples generally covering a short period of time. The current study assessed variations in drinking behaviors from adolescence to midlife in a community sample, describing age of "drinking firsts" (e.g., first alcoholic drink) as well as frequency and duration of periods of abstinence, alcohol dependence (AD) and nonproblem drinking.

Participants were 354 males with lifetime diagnoses of AD (mean age 50.35) from the Vietnam Era Twin Registry who were assessed regarding alcohol use, abuse and dependence histories (DSM-IV). Using a modified version of Skinner's Lifetime Drinking History, drinking history was reported in terms of distinct drinking periods (phases).

Participants reported, on average, 4.18 phases, each lasting 8.22 years, and 12.78 years of AD. More than 60% experienced increases in AD symptoms at least once in successive phases, but only a third of those increases were extreme. In contrast, extreme decreases in AD symptoms were reported by more than 50% of participants. Further, half indicated that they had transitioned from both fewer to greater and from greater to fewer AD symptoms during their drinking years; 8.2% reported no changes in AD symptoms.

Results reflect a wide variation in drinking behaviors among AD men as well as frequent fluctuations in course within individuals' drinking histories. Findings do not support a universal developmental model of alcoholism; notably, they provide counterevidence to the disease model concept of alcoholism course as progressive and chronic.