@article{ref1,
title="Applicability of Type A/B alcohol dependence in the general population",
journal="Drug and alcohol dependence",
year="2014",
author="Tam, Tammy W. and Mulia, Nina and Schmidt, Laura A.",
volume="138",
number="",
pages="169-176",
abstract="BACKGROUND: This study examined the concurrent and predictive validity of Type A/B alcohol dependence in the general population-a typology developed in clinical populations to gauge severity of dependence. <br><br>METHODS: Data were drawn from Waves 1 and 2 of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC). The sample included 1,172 alcohol-dependent drinkers at baseline who were reinterviewed three years later. Latent class analysis was used to derive Type A/B classification using variables replicating the original Type A/B typology. Predictive validity of the Type A/B classification was assessed by multivariable linear and logistic regressions. <br><br>RESULTS: A two-class solution consistent with Babor's original Type A/B typology adequately fit the data. Type B alcoholics in the general population, compared to Type As, had higher alcohol severity and more co-occurring drug, mental, and physical health problems. In the absence of treatment services utilization, Type B drinkers had two times the odds of being alcohol dependent three years later. Among those who utilized alcohol treatment services, Type B membership was predictive of heavy drinking and drug dependence, but not alcohol dependence, three years later. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that Type A/B classification is both generalizable to, and valid within, the US general population of alcohol dependent drinkers. <br><br>RESULTS highlight the value of treatment for mitigating the persistence of dependence among Type B alcoholics in the general population. Screening for markers of vulnerability to Type B dependence could be of clinical value for health care providers to determine appropriate intervention.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0376-8716",
doi="10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2014.02.698",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2014.02.698"
}