[Type specificity of alcoholism. 1. Introduction and review of the literature]

It was the aim of this empirical investigation to find out etiologically effective factors of gamma- and delta-alcoholism and condusions for prognosis and prevention. While for gamma-alcoholics an addicted attitude is typical during misuse, for delta-types it is a disposition in the vegetative-somatic range. The prognosis of delta-addicts after attendance and following intensive care is better than that of gamma-alcoholics. During a research period of 3 years a significant increase of delta-types was observed. This trend is explainable only sociologically by the development of drinking patterns in the direction of permissive-functionally disturbed culture. Hence, prevention is possible only by changing drinking patterns.