Alcoholism and prevalence of medical and psychiatric disorders

Prevalence of medical disorders was determined for 10,758 consecutive admissions for inpatient alcoholism treatment to 13 hospitals located in eight states of the United States. The majority of patients (approximately 70% of the men and 73% of the women) had a significant medical problem other than alcoholism. The most prevalent disorders were diseases of the liver, gallbladder and pancreas; bronchitis; emphysema; and asthma. Hypertensive disease was found in 15% of the men and 7% of the women. Psychiatric disorders associated with alcoholism were neuroses, personality disorders and other nonpsychotic states. Less than 10% of all patients were referred by physicians; more than 90% had not been previously diagnosed or treated for medical or psychiatric disorders associated with alcoholism. The high prevalence of medical disorders indicates that inpatient treatment of alcoholism should be undertaken in facilities that have expertise and resources for concurrent treatment of serious medical illness.