Comparison of DSM-III-R and draft DSM-IV alcohol abuse and dependence in a general population sample

The purpose of this Data Note was to compare DSM-III-R and Draft DSM-IV formulations of alcohol use disorders in terms of prevalence and overlap in a representative sample of the United States general population. The prevalence of DSM-III-R and DSM-IV alcohol abuse and dependence combined were strikingly similar, despite discrepancies in the separate component diagnoses of abuse and dependence. The major finding of this study showed a reversal of the abuse-to-dependence ratio associated with the DSM-IV classification. Unlike previous surveys using DSM-III-R definitions, the prevalence of DSM-IV abuse exceeded that of dependence in this general population sample. Reasons for this discrepancy were discussed in terms of the differences in the number and content of abuse and dependence criteria and the relationship between abuse and dependence categories. The need for an explicit statement justifying the changes in the DSM-IV classification is highlighted.