Prevalencia de psicopatología en dependientes al alcohol en tratamiento ambulatorio

Abstract

ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of psychopathology in alcohol-dependent subjects that initiates treatment, as well as its relation with sex. Material and methodsThe Symptom Check List 90 Revised was administered to 518 dependent subjects (25.1% women) in an outpatient treatment facility, concluded the detoxification and within the first 14 days of treatment. A comparison of the dimensional profiles with relation to the sex of the patients was made, determining itself the prevalence of pathological cases with base to different criteria proposed in previous investigations. ResultsThe presence of pathological cases was elevated, locating itself in rank 58.9%-81.3%, according to the used criterion, and being superior between the alcoholic women. These displayed a profile characterized by elevated scores more in the dimensions of psychoticism, obsession-compulsion, paranoid ideation and interpersonal sensitivity, as well as in the average intensity of the symptoms. ConclusionsThe high prevalence of psychopathology in the alcoholics advises the accomplishment of screening to the beginning of the treatment. The Symptom Check List 90 Revised (SCL 90-R) is an effective and consistent instrument for it, being compatible with the own exigencies of time of the clinical practice. For the elevated prevalence observed in both sexes, is advised to develop specific interventions for the treatment of comorbid psychopathology.