Researchers find 5 types of alcohol dependence

Experts hope subtyping people with this disorder will lead to more targeted diagnosis and treatment.

By Victoria Stagg Elliott, AMNews staff. Aug. 6, 2007.

Alcohol dependence manifests itself in many ways, but patients with this problem have enough in common that they can be placed in five categories, according to a study published online June 26 by the journal, Drug and Alcohol Dependence. The authors hope that subtyping patients in this manner will lead to the discovery of genes that increase the risk for the disorder's specific variations and to treatments that may be more effective for particular individuals.

"Assuming that the subtyping holds up and meets the test of time, we hope to identify specific treatments for specific types of alcoholics," said Howard B. Moss, MD, lead author and associate director for clinical and translational research at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. "Some may be more amenable to medications to treat alcohol dependence than others, and researchers might find this information useful as they're putting together trials for new agents to treat alcoholism."

Researchers analyzed the characteristics of 1,484 people participating in the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions who fit the criteria for alcohol dependence. This project, run by NIAAA, is a longitudinal survey of a representative sample of more than 43,000 people.

The analysis of those who fit the diagnosis for pathological drinking found that 31.5% could be considered "young adult" drinkers. People in this category imbibe less frequently than other alcoholics but, when they do, it is to excess. They are also more likely to be involved in dangerous drinking.