ALCOHOLISM IN SOCIAL-CLASSES AND OCCUPATIONS IN SWEDEN

Background. A number of studies have shown variations in the occurrenc e of alcoholism between different socioeconomic groups and occupations , but it has not been clear to what extent this is related to the aver age alcohol consumption in the same socioeconomic groups or occupation s. Methods. The relationship between socioeconomic group and occupatio n and hospital discharge 1981-1983 due to 'diagnoses related to alcoho lism' (AD) (alcohol psychosis, alcoholism, and alcohol intoxication) a nd liver cirrhosis was studied in a cohort of 375 035 men and 140 139 women in 13 counties in Sweden who had reported the same occupation in the censuses of 1960 and 1970. Data on alcohol consumption in differe nt socioeconomic groups and occupations were collected from a conscrip tion investigation and from the Swedish twin registry with data from 1 969/70 and 1973 respectively. Results. Intermediate or higher non-manu al employees had lower risk of AD as well as of liver cirrhosis compar ed to manual workers for both sexes. Among males several, mostly blue- collar, occupations had increased relative risks of AD. A high level o f association was found between the relative risks of AD and liver cir rhosis in socioeconomic groups, and the relative risk of AD in occupat ions, and the average alcohol consumption in the same socioeconomic gr oups/occupations among males. Such an association was not evident amon g women. Conclusion. The study shows, contrary to previous Swedish evi dence, that there is a strong relationship between the incidence of al coholism in socioeconomic groups and occupations and the average alcoh ol consumption in these groups among men.