RACIAL EFFECTS ON THE CLINICAL PRESENTATION OF ALCOHOLICS AT A PSYCHIATRIC-HOSPITAL

Despite the clinical importance of race effects on comorbidity and sym ptom patterns in recent community studies, little is known about such effects in various treatment facilities. This study evaluated the effe ct of race on the clinical profile of 604 alcoholics who presented for initial evaluation and treatment at a psychiatric hospital. The facto r that most strongly distinguished the racial groups was socioeconomic status (SES). After controlling for SES and other factors, no signifi cant difference was noted between ethnic groups in the prevalence of m ajor depressive disorder (MDD) or antisocial personality disorder. How ever, after controlling for SES and other factors, alcohol and drug us e were more severe in African-American alcoholics. along with four sym ptoms associated with alcohol and drug use. In contrast, reversed neur ovegetative symptoms, anxiety-related symptoms, and some personality-r elated symptoms were more severe in white alcoholics. Copyright (C) 19 96 by W.B. Saunders Company