Journal of Addiction Research & Therapy
Open Access

Abstract

Background: The clinical expression of Alcohol Use Disorders (AUDs) has been shown to be heterogeneous, on a bio- psycho-social scale. The concept of alcoholic typologies, arising from such complexities, is not new,but to date, despite some commonalities, there is no consensus as to the number or dimensions of AUD types. This study aimed to identify subtypes of AUD in a general population sample based on DSM 5 and four severity / vulnerability criteria. Method: Data from 22 177 current drinkers in the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC) Wave 2 (2004-2005)were assessed by latent class analysis (LCA) in order to identify homogeneous subtypes and further validated by multivariate regression analysis on a range of socio-demographic (age, gender, race, income, education, marital status) background (non-fatal injury, criminality) clinical (liver cirrhosis, mood, anxiety, substance use,personality)and clinically orientated (alcohol consumption frequency, nicotine intake) variables. Results: LCA identified a four-class solution based on a severity gradient, three AUD classes and one non-problematic drinking class, as the most parsimonious description of the data and external validation of this solution was supported by differences between classes on the covariates. Conclusion: Three distinct subtypes of AUD were extracted, distinguished by DSM 5 criteria, consumption levels, family and treatment seeking history, with further covariate validation. These subtypes have high clinical utility, enhance AUD classification and add to our understanding of AUD trajectories,prevention and treatment

Biography

Martina is currently a second year PhD candidate at the University of Ulster in Northern Ireland, where she also completed her undergrad studies. The topic of her thesis is The Heterogeneity of Alcohol Use Disorders. She currently has one paper in press and two further papers under review.