[Interrelation between indices of the progression of alcoholism and various premorbid factors]

A clinical study of 720 alcoholic patients was performed. The material obtained was statistically processed by correlation analysis in order to investigate the relationship between the disease progression and some premorbid factors. Indices of alcoholism progression included qualitative assessment of progression, duration of regular alcohol consumption and the length of disease stages, as well as the patients' age at the time of alcoholism formation and at the initiation of treatment. Such premorbid factors as certain personality types and social orientations in the premorbid period showed the closest correlation with progression indices. There was some correlation, though less pronounced, with some factors of the stage of regular alcohol consumption, especially with family members' attitudes toward the studied person's alcohol abuse and the kind of alcoholic drinks consumed.