ALCOHOL-CONSUMPTION AND INSOMNIA IN A SAMPLE OF JAPANESE ALCOHOLICS

The amount of ethanol consume-d by chronic alcoholics in a Japanese sl um area with persistent insomnia (n = 40) and those without it (n = 40 ) was compared using a questionnaire. For both groups, the present hab itual consumption (PHC) of ethanol per day was most frequently between 60 g and 150 g and no difference was observed between the two groups. In contrast, the maximum habitual consumption (MHC) of ethanol per da y throughout the alcoholic history was found to be greater for the ins omnia patients than the non-insomniacs (p < 0.001). No difference betw een the groups was found in the kind of alcoholic drink consumed, with sake (Japanese rice wine) being the most popular in both groups. The results suggest that persistent insomnia in alcoholics is related to e xcessive alchol intake and persists even when drinking levels have fal len.