The contemporary alcoholic.

Multiple drug use occurs in alcoholics in an age-dependent relationship. The younger the onset of alcoholism, the more likely is additional drug use. Drugs used by alcoholics, in decreasing order of frequency, are marijuana, cocaine, and other stimulants, phencyclidine, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and hallucinogens. Evaluation of intoxication and treatment or detoxification in alcoholics should always include consideration of other drugs. Multiple drug use in alcoholics does not preclude the short- or long-term treatment that traditionally is available for alcoholics, such as programmatic treatment and AA and NA and psychotherapy. The existence of poly-drug addiction in alcoholics and of alcohol dependence in families of drug addicts and alcoholics suggest a common genetic vulnerability to alcoholism and drug addiction.