Alcohol abuse among clinically anxious patients

Abstract

Of 156 patients meeting DSM-III criteria for either agoraphobia with panic attacks, panic disorder, simple or social phobia, or generalized anxiety disorder, 27 (17.3%) were found to score in the alcoholic range (⩾ 5) on the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test. This pattern of alcohol abuse was primarily associated with the diagnosis of agoraphobia. Agoraphobic patients with a concurrent affective disorder were especially prone to abuse alcohol.