This study comprises data from a consecutive series of 52 heterosexual
male alcoholics. The purpose of the study was to describe sexual inte
rest and cohabiting relationships and to analyse the influence of pers
onality and biological factors on these phenomena. An increased sexual
interest or activity and frequent changes of cohabiting partners are
two common characteristics of male alcoholics but these two phenomena
are not interrelated. A decreased sexual interest is reported by only
a minority of male alcoholics. The alcoholics with several previous co
habiting relationships stand out as being aggressive and hard drinking
. The alcoholic with an increased sexual interest makes an opposite im
pression. He is non-aggressive, socially adjustable and unafraid of cl
ose interpersonal relations. When decreased sexual interest or activit
y occurs in male alcoholics, it is mainly a result of hormonal changes
. Low levels of male and high levels of female sex hormones are common
in these men.