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Quality of life of alcoholics and non-alcoholics: does excessive drinking make a difference in the urban setting?

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Abstract

The current study assessed whether perceived quality of life differed between alcoholics and non-alcoholics. Patients attending an urban-based hospital were screened for alcoholism using the CAGE questionnaire. Patients were recruited from an out-patient clinic setting as well as from an in-patient substance abuse unit. Quality of life scores were based on Chubon's (1987) Life Situation Survey. Results indicated that alcoholics experience a lower quality of life than their non-alcoholic counterparts regardless of setting; however, all patients reported experiencing poor life quality. The impact of alcoholism treatment programmes on patients already experiencing low quality of life is questioned.

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Study supported by NIAAA-R01-AA08278

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Welsh, J.A., Buchsbaum, D.G. & Kaplan, C.B. Quality of life of alcoholics and non-alcoholics: does excessive drinking make a difference in the urban setting?. Qual Life Res 2, 335–340 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00449428

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00449428

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