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Self-reported use of psychotropic drugs and alcohol abuse in South-Verona

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

O. Siciliani ,
C. Bellantuono ,
P. Williams  and
M. Tansella
O. Siciliani*
Affiliation:
Istituto di Psichiatria, Università di Verona, Verona, Italy, Institute of Psychiatry, London
C. Bellantuono
Affiliation:
Istituto di Psichiatria, Università di Verona, Verona, Italy, Institute of Psychiatry, London
P. Williams
Affiliation:
Istituto di Psichiatria, Università di Verona, Verona, Italy, Institute of Psychiatry, London
M. Tansella
Affiliation:
Istituto di Psichiatria, Università di Verona, Verona, Italy, Institute of Psychiatry, London
*
1Address for correspondence: Professor Orazio Siciliani, Istituto di Psichiatria, Policlinico, 37134 Verona, Italy.
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Synopsis

The data for this cross-sectional survey were obtained from a stratified probability sample of 510 residents in South-Verona during the period May–June 1980. The two-week prevalence of psychotropic drug consumption was found to be 13%. The prevalence was higher in women (18%) than in men (9%). The most commonly consumed category of psychotropic drugs were the benzodiazepines, which accounted for 70% of all the psychotropic drugs consumed by women and 85% of those consumed by men. Using a logistic analysis, a strong association between drug consumption and minor psychiatric morbidity, as indicated by the GHQ scores, was found for both sexes, a finding not significantly different from that found in the West London study by Murray et al. (1981). Alcohol abuse in men was less prevalent in the youngest age-group. Thirty-three (19%) of the male GHQ low scorers were alcohol abusers, compared with 12 (40%) of the high scorers. No significant association was found between psychotropic drug consumption and alcohol abuse in men.

Type
Research Article
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 15 , Issue 4 , November 1985 , pp. 821 - 826
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1985

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