Alcohol is the most widely psychoactive substance consumed in Portugal. The aim of this study is to describe the socio-demographics and clinical characteristics of alcohol abuse and dependence new patients of an Alcohol Unit in a University General Hospital.

We collected retrospectively data from all admitted patients to our Alcohol Unit between January and October 2009 with alcohol abuse or dependence diagnosis.

Fifty three patients were admitted during the period, 40 (75%) males and 13(25%) females. The mean age was 45.4 years (s.d.:10.6; median: 42), range between 24-67 years. Thirteen percent of patients were single, 26% divorced, 4% widowed and 57% married/with partner. Fifty-seven percent were employed, 30% unemployed and 13% retired. Twenty one percent of patients had known cardiovascular disease and 19% percent alcoholic liver cirrhosis. As Psychiatric comorbities 19% percent of patients had depressive disorders, 6% personality disorders and 6% other psychiatric disorders (anxiety and psychotic disorders). Mean AST value was 67.3 IU/L (s.d.:64.3), mean ALT 52.9 IU/L (s.d.:47.9), mean GGT 258.6 IU/L (s.d.:367.6) and mean MCV 92.3 um3 (s.d.:8.3). Forty percent of patients made an acute detoxification (77% as outpatient and 33% as inpatient). Fifty five percent of patients attended our psychotherapy group. Benzodiazepines (96%), antidepressants (25%) and naltrexone (22%) were the most used psychopharmacological treatments.

This study shows that there was predominance of male, married/with partner and employed patients in our sample. Alcohol biomarkers were high on the majority of patients, and there was also a high prevalence of medical diseases.