Prevalence of anxiety disorder among alcoholics

A preliminary study of the prevalence of DSM-III anxiety disorders in a group of inpatients treated for alcohol detoxification is presented. The rating was performed in accordance with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III (SCID). The results showed that nineteen of 84 subjects (22.6%) met criteria for one or more anxiety disorders. In 12 of these subjects drinking followed the onset of anxiety by as long as 19 years. No conclusions can be drawn about the etiologic role of anxiety in alcoholism. However, to the extent that patients with treatable phobic and anxious states can be identified, there is a potential for prevention of alcoholism in some of these individuals.