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A comparative study of alcoholics and drug addicts in an Arabian Gulf country

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Summary

On the basis of 110 male patients admitted to the alcohol and drug abuse unit of the psychiatric hospital in Kuwait, a study was made of the inter-relationships between those who abused alcohol, those who abused drugs, and those who abused both. These three groups were compared for age, education, employment record, psychiatric disorders, history of marital problems or parental dysfunction, and organic illness. Findings indicate a correlation between those who abuse both substances and the more severe psychopathological illnesses. Those who primarily abused drugs were found to be younger, probably with a higher level of education, and to exhibit more antisocial behaviour. The alcoholics were older, had a higher divorce rate and demonstrated organic illness with their psychiatric disorder.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, University of Kuwait Medical School, Kuwait City, Kuwait

    K. Chaleby

  2. Department of Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, 11211, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

    K. Chaleby

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  1. K. Chaleby
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Chaleby, K. A comparative study of alcoholics and drug addicts in an Arabian Gulf country. Soc Psychiatry 21, 49–51 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00585322

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00585322

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