Alcoholism and subtypes of antisocial personality disorder

The co-occurrence of alcoholism with other psychiatric conditions among treated samples is well known. One of the most prevalent comorbid conditions among both male and female alcoholics is antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). While ASPD is known to affect the development and severity of alcoholism, comparisons of subtypes of ASPD in relation to the etiology of alcoholism have not been reported. Male and female alcoholics (n = 321) with ASPD or DSM III subtypes [Conduct Disorder; Adult Onset ASPD] were compared to non-ASPD alcoholics on several etiological features of alcoholism and its clinical presentation immediately prior to treatment. The results show that alcoholics with a subtype of ASPD, even if it occurred predominately during childhood, have a form of alcoholism similar to ASPD alcoholics. Further, the severity of alcoholism among persons with ASPD may vary according to the severity of the ASPD.