Cognitive efficiency in alcoholics and polysubstance abusers: Family history revisited

The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the role of family history (F H) on cognitive efficiency by means of 4 different FH classification scheme s. Sixty alcoholics, 64 polysubstance abusers, and 67 controls participated . No effects of FH were found for any of the 4 FH classification strategies . However, main effects of group were found, providing evidence that the cl inical samples were representative of those from previous studies. These da ta support those of other investigators and suggest that having an FH of al coholism cannot account for cognitive impairment among chronic alcoholics.