EPIDEMIOLOGY OF ALCOHOLISM IN VORARLBERG

We report on the administrative incidence of alcoholism as registered by admissions for treatment in the regional psychiatric hospital, in Vorarlberg, caring for approximately 330.000 inhabitants. 1967, 1977 and 1987 were chosen as years of observation, thus describing the regional development of alcoholism in the last 20 years. Selected epidemiological data are compared to those of local population. Over the years a vast increase in admissions and treatments was registered - a result of changes in information on the addiction itself and improvement in facilities, staff and medical care in general. Whereas female involvement has sharpely risen as compared to earlier decades, it now appears to have stadied at a rate of 3 : 1 (m : f). In 1987 juvenile alcoholism as rated by hospital-admissions had comparatively declined. A greater number of married alcoholics in more qualified positions decided on treatment. Concordant somatic and psychiatric diseases are discussed. The results stress the importance of different approaches to motivation and treatment in this complex phenomenon.