title: Self-reported use of psychotropic drugs and alcohol abuse in South-Verona.
abstract: The data for this cross-sectional survey were obtained from a stratified probability sample of 510 residents in South-Verona during the period May-June 1980. The two-week prevalence of psychotropic drug consumption was found to be 13%. The prevalence was higher in women (18%) than in men (9%). The most commonly consumed category of psychotropic drugs were the benzodiazepines, which accounted for 70% of all the psychotropic drugs consumed by women and 85% of those consumed by men. Using a logistic analysis, a strong association between drug consumption and minor psychiatric morbidity, as indicated by the GHQ scores, was found for both sexes, a finding not significantly different from that found in the West London study by Murray et al. (1981). Alcohol abuse in men was less prevalent in the youngest age-group. Thirty-three (19%) of the male GHQ low scorers were alcohol abusers, compared with 12 (40%) of the high scorers. No significant association was found between psychotropic drug consumption and alcohol abuse in men.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D001569:Benzodiazepines