A co-morbidity of alcohol dependence with other psychiatric disorders in young adult Mexican Americans.
BACKGROUND
Mexican Americans comprise one of the most rapidly growing populations in the U.S. However, information on the co-morbidity of alcohol dependence with other psychiatric disorders in Mexican Americans is sparse.


METHODS
Demographic information, DSM-III-R diagnoses, and information differentiating independent from substance-induced anxiety and affective disorders were obtained from 240 Mexican American young adults residing in select areas of San Diego.


RESULTS
A high prevalence of alcohol dependence was found in this population. There was significant co-morbidity between alcohol dependence and anxiety, affective, conduct/antisocial, and other substance dependence disorders. Eight percent of the anxiety disorders and 26% of the affective disorders were found to be substance-induced.


CONCLUSIONS
High rates and substantial co-morbidity of alcohol dependence with psychiatric and other substance use disorders were found in this population. These data may be helpful in designing prevention and intervention programs for this high-risk population.
Gilder
David A
DA
Molecular and Integrative Neurosciences Department, The Scripps Research Institute, LaJolla, CA 92037, USA.
Lau
Philip
P
Gross
Abigail
A
Ehlers
Cindy L
CL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology*; D017058:Mexican Americans / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*