Background: Worldwide there is a rising trend in number of people who resort to substance use at an early age. The percentage of population that drinks at an early age has increased from 2% to more than 14%. Research is needed to optimize treatment strategies especially in the understudied group of Asian Indians based on local epidemiology of alcohol use. Objectives: To study the clinical and socio-demographic profile of males diagnosed with alcohol dependence syndrome. Materials and Methods: A descriptive study comprising of 50 subjects attending psychiatry de-addiction clinic in a private medical college in Bagalkot, Karnataka during 1st April 2016 to 30th September 2016 was done after taking institutional ethical committee clearance. A semi-structured proforma was used to determine the socio-demographic details and clinical determinants. Descriptive analysis using appropriate statistical test will be done. Results: The mean age of starting drinking was 23.58 years. Most of the patients have not sought any previous help, 48.7% patients were brought by family members for de-addiction, withdrawal symptoms being the reason for seeking help. Most common cause (60%) for initiation of alcohol was peer influence followed by experimentation. Family history of alcoholism was positive in 68% of patients. Conclusion: Results showed an urgent need of interventions that are family centered. Early age of first use of alcohol greatly increases the risk of progression to the development of alcohol dependence and therefore is a valid target for intervention strategies. The dreadful consequences of substance abuse justify the need to evolve a comprehensive strategy.

Keywords: Alcoholism; Peer Influence; Substance Related Disorders.