BASAL SERUM CORTISOL AND DEXAMETHASONE-INDUCED GROWTH-HORMONE RELEASEIN THE ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE SYNDROME

We assessed the basal serum cortisol and the growth hormone (GH) respo nse to dexamethasone in a group of completely detoxified male alcoholi cs and a group of healthy controls. There was a significant baseline e levation of serum cortisol in the alcoholics relative to the controls, and in the type 2 alcoholics relative to the type 1 alcoholics. There was no difference found in GH response to dexamethasone between the a lcoholics and controls or between the types of alcoholics. There was n o relationship found between the age of subject, length of abstinence from alcohol or severity of alcohol dependence and GH response. There was a significant relationship between severity of alcohol dependence and type of alcohol abuser. This may indicate a subtle impairment of t he HPA in post withdrawal alcoholics, and between types of alcoholics, which does not appear to be at the pituitary or hypothalamic level.