Alcohol use disorders in Nakhon Sawan Province

Abstract

A community survey was conducted in Nakhon Sawan Province,one of the top ten provinces of alcohol consumption per capita inThailand. The purposes of this study are to study the prevelenceof alcohol use disorders, drinking behavior, pattern of drinking,behavioral consequences, co-morbid mental problems, generalwell-being and factors associated with alcohol use disorders. 409 cases were interviewed by trained interviewers usingquestionaires consisted of demography, drinking behavior andpattern of drinking, behavioral consequences that have beendeveloped, co-morbid mental problems and general well-being byGWB, 16 PF for personality profile and Hasin questionaires todetect alcohol use disorders. The findings from the study show prevalence of alcohol usedisorders were 30.8 percents devided into alcohol dependence 16.6percents and alcohol abuse 14 2 percents. We found characters ofdrinking behavior and pattern of drinking among alcohol usedisorders. There were more anxiety, depression and low positivewell-being among alcohol use disorders significant different at P<.05. For GWB total score, alcohol use disorders were undercategories of moderate to severe distress. We found manybehavioral consequences associated with alcohol use disorderssuch as many health problems, violent behavior, accidents,familial problems, working and financial problems (P <.05). We found that factors that associated with alcohol usedisorders were age, sex, marital status, occupation, educationallevel, familial history of alcohol drinking and also founddifference on behavior of drinking, GWB total and subscoreslabels (P < 05) We did not found specific personality profileamong alcohol use disorders.