Ethnicity and psychiatric comorbidity among alcohol-dependent persons who receive inpatient treatment: African Americans, Alaska natives, Caucasians, and Hispanics.

This study examined ethnic and gender differences of psychiatric comorbidity among alcohol dependent men and women from four ethnic groups: Alaska Native, Caucasians, African Americans, and Hispanics. The data were obtained through individual standardized interview; DSM-III-R diagnoses were obtained via a computer algorithm. The subjects included 1177 Caucasians, 361 African Americans, 93 Hispanics and 486 Alaska Natives. Significant ethnic differences were found in relation to age of onset of alcohol and multiple substance dependence and psychiatric comorbidity. Ethnic differences were also noted with regard to the health care utilization.