Sex Differences in the Prevalence of Psychiatric Disorders in Patients With Alcohol and Drug Problems ⋆

Summary A survey evaluated the lifetime and current prevalence of mental disorders in 260 male and 241 female patients seeking assistance with alcohol and drug problems at an addiction research facility. Information was gathered using the NIMH Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS) and computer diagnoses were generated according to DSM‐III criteria. Women did not show higher rates of psychiatric disorders than men, contrary to widespread belief among professionals that female substance abusers manifest more psychopathology and maladjustment than do their male counterparts. While there were no significant sex differences in the major mental disorders (cognitive impairment, schizophrenia and affective disorders), women were more likely to suffer from anxiety, psychosexual disorders and bulimia, while men were more often diagnosed as having an antisocial personality disorder. Patients of either sex who abused or were dependent on both alcohol and drugs had a much higher prevalence of psychiatric disorders than did other patients.