Coexisting obsessive compulsive disorder and alcoholism

Fifty patients with the diagnosis of alcohol dependence or abuse who were admitted to a university-based alcohol rehabilitation program were screened for obsessions and compulsions. Six percent (3) of the patients met DSM-III-R criteria for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), which is three times the lifetime prevalence for OCD found in the general population. The diagnosis of OCD is easily overlooked, so screening questions should be asked of all alcoholics during the routine clinical interview. Identifying those patients with dual diagnosis is important because treatment of the underlying OCD should improve overall clinic outcome.