Risk Factors for Alcohol Dependence: A Questionnaire Survey

Several factors, known to associate with alcoholism, have not been studied together earlier as determinants of alcohol dependence, and taking into account possible interactions. A representative sample of 302 male and 312 female Finns, aged 19 to 81 years, answered a computerized questionnaire in January 1996. The diagnosis of alcohol dependence was based on the ICD-10 criteria. There were 66 (10.8%) subjects with current (past 12-month) ICD-10 alcohol dependence. After adjusting for other potential correlates in logistic regression analysis, alcohol dependence was more common among subjects high on both asocial behavior and on thinking that his or her behavior is determined mainly by chance or by other people (external control) than among the rest [odds ratio (OR) 4.4; 95% confidence interval (95% Cl) 1.8–10.91. Likewise, alcohol dependence was more common among subjects who recalled that they were highly stimulated when intoxicated by alcohol (OR 3.4; 95% CI 1.9–6.0). High predisposition to anxiety associated strongly with alcohol dependence among males (OR 13.8; 95% CI 4.4–43.1), but not among females (OR 25; 95% CI 0.7–9.1). Several of the aforementioned correlates may be modifiable risk factors for alcohol dependence.