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

Little is known about the effects of age on the clinical presentation of alcoholism in various treatment settings, despite the clinical impo rtance of this factor. This study evaluates the effect of age on the c linical profile of 604 alcoholics who presented for initial evaluation and treatment at a psychiatric hospital. Young alcoholics displayed t he most prominent substance use, antisocial behavior, depressive sympt oms (including suicidality), and impulsivity. Early middle-aged alcoho lics displayed the highest levels of drinking. Elderly alcoholics disp layed the highest levels of cognitive dysfunction, although some level of cognitive dysfunction was present among even the youngest alcoholi cs. These findings confirm and clarify the effects of age on the clini cal profile of alcoholics presenting for initial evaluation at a psych iatric hospital. Copyright (C) 1997 by W.B. Saunders Company.