We examined differences in clinical presentation for outpatient alcohol tre
atment in: 1) males and females, considering comorbidity; and 2) three como
rbid groups, considering gender. Drinking indices and emotional, physical,
and sexual abuse reports were compared in 127 male and 69 female alcohol-de
pendent patients who have a current (36.2%) or lifetime (20.4%) psychiatric
disorder or who never had a psychiatric disorder (43.4%). Females reported
more emotional and physical abuse than males. Females reported drinking sm
aller volumes of alcohol but on more days than males. All with current como
rbidity, irrespective of gender, reported more days of heavy drinking than
other groups. When evaluating drinking status, gender and comorbidity shoul
d be considered.