Comparison of correlates of DSM-IV alcohol abuse or dependence among more than 400 sons of alcoholics and controls

Background: Alcohol dependence and abuse are defined as separate disorders. However, relatively few data are available about whether the same characte ristics predict both syndromes. Methods: Complete data were available from the 15 year follow-up of 411 men who originally had been evaluated from a university population at about ag e 20. Both baseline data gathered prospectively and the retrospective ratin gs in six domains of life functioning were analyzed for their relationship to the development of alcohol abuse or dependence during the follow-up. Results: Baseline characteristics of a family history of substance use diso rders, the quantity and frequency of drinking, the history of alcohol-relat ed problems, and the level of response to alcohol all predicted future alco hol abuse or dependence, but only an alcoholic second-degree relative or a first-degree drug-dependent family member differentially predicted dependen ce. Logistic regression analyses revealed that similar baseline characteris tics combined to predict dependence and, separately, abuse. When the domain s of functioning during the 15 years were included, positive alcohol expect ancies, poor coping mechanisms, low level of social support, and drinking i n the environment contributed to both dependence and abuse, although the re lationship was stronger for dependence. Conclusions: The predictors and correlates of alcohol abuse and dependence in this group of men were similar. Further research in additional populatio ns and on other drugs is needed to determine if the two syndromes overlap s ufficiently to be combined.