MORBIDITY RISK FOR ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG-ABUSE IN RELATIVES OF COCAINE ADDICTS

The morbidity risks for alcoholism in the first-degree relatives of a cohort of male cocaine addicts with or without alcoholism comorbidity were studied. Of the 71 patients who participated in our study, 40 (56 .3%) had a history of alcoholism and 37 (59.1%) a history of opioid ab use. Twenty-two patients (30.1%) also met criteria for a lifetime diag nosis of a major psychiatric disorder. Significant increases in morbid ity risks for alcoholism were found among male relatives of cocaine ad dicts with comorbid alcohol dependence when compared with relatives of cocaine addicts with no alcohol comorbidity. Among fathers, risks wer e .69 vs .32 (z = 2.98, p < .003). Among brothers, risks were .38 vs . 15 (z = 2.35, p < .03). Significantly increased risks were also observ ed in male relatives when probands with a psychiatric diagnosis were e xcluded from the analyses. Among female relatives, increases in morbid ity risks were found but they failed to reach statistical significance . Two interpretations are consistent with these findings. One of these interpretations is that alcoholism is a disorder distinct from other addictions and has its own mode of transmission. The second interpreta tion is that the transmission of substance use disorders lacks specifi city and that the substances selected are influenced by sociocultural or biological factors.