Self-reported health functioning in Swedish alcohol-dependent individuals: Age and gender perspectivesNordic Journal of Psychiatry 1 September 2008
The aim of this study was to investigate health functioning and drinking patters in a Swedish alcohol-dependent treatment sample. Gender and two age groups were, respectively, compared in these characteristics.
Differences between genders were found in drinking patterns, where men had earlier onset of first drink, earlier onset of problematic alcohol consumption and longer duration of problematic consumption. No differences between genders were found regarding somatic and psychiatric health.
When comparing the two age groups (29-47 years and 49-69 years), the younger individuals had more lifetime and current psychiatric symptoms (including depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation etc.), whereas the older individuals had more chronic somatic disorders. The younger individuals had also an earlier onset of first drink of alcohol and had started a problematic consumption at earlier ages. They had also more lifetime experience of illicit drugs (including benzodiazepines and analgesics).
The findings from the present study indicate that an age-perspective in treatment planning may be of more importance than a gender perspective, where younger individuals probably need more of psychiatric consultation and their older counterparts need more of consultations by medical professionals.
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Request Reprint E-Mail: Kristina.Berglund@psy.gu.se _______________________________________________________________
Differences between genders were found in drinking patterns, where men had earlier onset of first drink, earlier onset of problematic alcohol consumption and longer duration of problematic consumption. No differences between genders were found regarding somatic and psychiatric health.
When comparing the two age groups (29-47 years and 49-69 years), the younger individuals had more lifetime and current psychiatric symptoms (including depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation etc.), whereas the older individuals had more chronic somatic disorders. The younger individuals had also an earlier onset of first drink of alcohol and had started a problematic consumption at earlier ages. They had also more lifetime experience of illicit drugs (including benzodiazepines and analgesics).
The findings from the present study indicate that an age-perspective in treatment planning may be of more importance than a gender perspective, where younger individuals probably need more of psychiatric consultation and their older counterparts need more of consultations by medical professionals.
Read Full Abstract
Request Reprint E-Mail: Kristina.Berglund@psy.gu.se _______________________________________________________________
