Some behavioural and psychological aspects of alcohol and drug dependence in Kuwait Psychiatric Hospital.

Seventy Kuwait alcohol and drug-dependent inpatients at Kuwait Psychiatric Hospital were compared with a matched group of 40 abstinent inpatients on a surgical ward in a general hospital in order to find out the drugs abused, pattern of consumption, the effect of prohibition and sanctions, motives, personality type, social complications, religious attitudes and family history. The majority abused alcohol (62%) followed by hypnotics. The reason most frequently stated for starting consumption was to relieve boredom (39%).