The most important co-morbidities of alcoholism.

These are the health disorders that overlap the most with alcohol addiction.

Alcoholism is a very serious social, medical and psychological problem, affecting both women and men. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), however, men are up to three times more likely than women to develop an addiction to alcohol.

Beyond the serious consequences alcohol has on our lives, our minds and our bodies, it is widely recognized that there are numerous co-morbidities to it.

In this article we will learn about the most frequent comorbidities of alcoholism, i.e. the disorders and symptoms of alcoholism.that is to say, the disorders and symptoms that usually appear associated with it, according to data from the DSM-5 and also from different scientific studies.

Comorbidities of alcoholism

Before going into the comorbidities of alcoholism, let us clarify the concept of comorbidity. Comorbidity is a term coined in 1970 by the clinician and researcher Alvan.R. Feinstein.. This concept refers to the presence of one or more disorders, in addition to the primary underlying disorder (we also refer to diseases).

In the case of alcoholism, there are multiple comorbidities to this disorder, both psychopathological (mental disorders) and medical (diseases themselves). Moreover, both in the medical and psychological fields, the comorbidities of alcoholism have been a topic of interest that has been growing gradually over the years.

In clinical practice, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find "pure" cases of alcoholism, because most of them already come with a history of alcoholism.because most of them already come with one or more associated disorders.

It should also be noted that in the field of addictions, it is highly frequent to find in patients the so-called polydependence (addiction to more than one substance) (not to mention the also added psychopathological disorders of an emotional and affective nature and medical illnesses).

Disorders frequently associated with alcoholism: DSM-5

In the DSM-5 (Diagnostic Manual of Mental Disorders), alcoholism disorder is associated with other psychiatric conditions. This means that just by the fact of suffering from alcoholism, there is an added risk of also suffering from this disorder, there is an added risk of suffering from this type of disorder as well (during the onset of the addictive (during the onset of the addictive disorder or even over time). Such disorders/ and/or symptoms are:

• Dependence and abuse to other substances, such as: sedatives, hypnotics, cannabis, cocaine, heroin, anxiolytics and amphetamines.
• Schizophrenia
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Increased risk of: accidents, violence and suicide.
• Personality disorders: especially antisocial (increased likelihood of committing criminal acts).
• Social problems (e.g. family breakdown or job dislocation).

Studies

We have seen what the DSM-5 says about the frequent comorbidities of alcoholism, but what does the scientific literature say about it?

Psychopathological symptomatology

To discuss the comorbidities of alcoholism in terms of psychopathological symptomatology, we will refer to the results of a study carried out in 2006 (Landa, Fernández-Montalvo, López-Goñi and Lorea). This study shows how the main disorders and/or symptoms associated with alcoholism, at the psychopathological level, are of an anxious-depressive nature.

Such symptoms are observed in alcoholism in a higher proportion than in the general population (without alcoholism). Furthermore, it should be noted that the frequency and intensity of such symptoms is related to the severity of alcohol dependence.

This translates into more severe associated symptoms in patients with more severe alcoholism. Such comorbidity should be taken into account in the treatment and the possible risk of relapse..

Pathological gambling

Another frequently observed comorbidity of alcoholism is pathological gambling. Specifically, a 2005 study by Fernández-Montalvo establishes that 20% of the alcoholic patients in the sample also had an associated (comorbid) diagnosis of pathological gambling (pathological gambling). (pathological gambling).

On the other hand, according to the aforementioned study, 12% of the patients in the sample also presented symptoms that could indicate a possible diagnosis of pathological gambling, although they did not meet diagnostic criteria.

In addition, it was observed that the severity of the symptoms of pathological gambling was related to a more serious alcoholism problem..

Personality disorders

Personality disorders are another frequently observed comorbidity of alcoholism (especially antisocial personality disorder, as we have already seen in the DSM-5 section).

Many studies have also been carried out on this subject; in this article we have selected two of them: the first, carried out in 2002 by Fernández-Montalvo, Landa, López-Goñi, Lorea and Zarzuela, and the second a little later, in 2006, by Fernández-Montalvo, Landa, López-Goñi and Lorea.

According to the results of these studies the comorbidity between alcoholism and certain types of personality disorders is between 22 and 64% of cases, which is quite alarming.which is quite alarming.

Three major groups of alcoholism

Another study in 2001, by Valbuena et al. different types of alcohol consumption with distinct patterns distinct patterns:

• Patients who had suffered alcohol intoxication.
• Patients with high risk consumption
• Patients with alcohol dependence

It is important to specify that these groups are not categorically independent, but rather many of their symptoms or consequences overlap.. In addition, people in each group may move to another group over time, and/or return to the initial group, etc.

But let's get down to the important stuff; what was observed in each group at the level of comorbidity associated with alcoholism? Let's see:

1. alcohol intoxication group 2.

It was found that in this first group (this was a young group), there were associated transient emotional disorders, but without associated transient emotional disorders, but without somatic or psychiatric repercussions..

2. High-risk drinking group

In the second group, the high-risk group (which includes harmful or abusive consumption, both of alcohol and of other substances), a high degree of social and family instability was found, as well as severe comorbid psychiatric disorders..

Group with alcohol dependence

In the group with alcohol dependence (of mature age), serious organic and cerebral sequelae, in addition to a strong tendency to isolation and depressive symptoms..

Medical and organic problems and life expectancy

Beyond the numerous comorbidities of alcoholism mentioned above, we should not forget its repercussions and consequences at the organic level, since alcohol is a drug that is highly harmful to health, which can lead to important problems of the liver, pancreas, heart, sexual dysfunctions, etc., etc.etc.

All this without mentioning the serious social, personal and labor consequences derived from its consumption.

On the other hand, referring to a study carried out by two German universities, Greifswald and Lübech, it revealed that the life expectancy of alcoholics is reduced by an average of 20 years compared to the normal (non-alcoholic) population. compared to the normal (non-alcoholic) population. Again, an alarming statistic.