Male/female differences in alcohol-related problems: alcohol rehabilitation patients.

Differences in male and female prevalence of drinking problems have been studied previously. However, few studies have focused on gender differences in a range of alcohol-related problems in individuals identified as dysfunctional drinkers. We analyzed such differences in 299 alcohol patients who met DSM-III criteria for alcohol abuse/dependence. Male and female patients differed significantly on heavy consumption patterns and negative social experiences resulting from drinking. However, no significant differences were found in loss of control, dependence, or health problems. The similarities were obtained even though females had been problem drinkers for a shorter number of years. Implications of these results are discussed.