Familial alcoholism and problem drinking in a national drinking practices survey

This study examined the prevalence of alcoholism and problem drinking among the first degree relatives of respondents in a national survey. A stratified area-probability sample of adults 18 years of age or older living in households in the U.S. was used for this analysis. Data were collected on familial alcoholism/problem drinking as well as the prevalence of alcohol problems and depressive symptoms of the respondents themselves. Overall, women reported more alcoholic/problem drinking first degree relatives than men. This relationship was enhanced for women with alcohol problems alone or in conjunction with depressive symptoms. However, rates of reported familial alcoholism/problem drinking among men and women who had depressive symptoms only were quite similar. The implications of these findings are discussed.