Are the binary typology models of alcoholism valid in polydrug abusers?
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the dichotomy of type I/II and type A/B alcoholism typologies in opiate-dependent patients with a comorbid alcohol dependence problem (ODP-AP).


METHODS
The validity assessment process comprised the information regarding the history of alcohol use (internal validity), cognitive-behavioral variables regarding substance use (external validity), and indicators of treatment during 6-month follow-up (predictive validity).


RESULTS
ODP-AP subjects classified as type II/B presented an early and much more severe drinking problem and a worse clinical prognosis when considering opiate treatment variables as compared with ODP-AP subjects defined as type I/A. Furthermore, type II/B patients endorse more general positive beliefs and expectancies related to the effect of alcohol and tend to drink heavily across several intra- and interpersonal situations as compared with type I/A patients.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings confirm two different forms of alcohol dependence, recognized as a low-severity/vulnerability subgroup and a high-severity/vulnerability subgroup, in an opiate-dependent population with a lifetime diagnosis of alcohol dependence.
Mental Health and Psychiatric Service, Hospital de Santa Maria, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.
Samuel
S
Pombo
Mental Health and Psychiatric Service, Hospital de Santa Maria, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.
Nuno F
NF
da Costa
Mental Health and Psychiatric Service, Hospital de Santa Maria, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.
Maria L
ML
Figueira
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D001526:Behavioral Symptoms; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011174:Portugal; D011594:Psychometrics; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors