Factor analysis of the aftereffects of drinking in alcoholics

Research that deals with the causes of alcoholism has been hampered by the absence of factor analyses that deal specifically with ethanol's aftereffects. We factor analyzed 100 alcoholics' reports of the effects that they experience after alcohol consumption. Five factors emerged--Hangover, Euphoria, Flushing, Seizures, and Sleepiness. They are described and discussed. Future investigators may find them helpful in assessing theories on the etiology of alcoholism and in studies of ethanol's effects on subsets of alcohol abusers.