A study was made of young alcoholics aged 30 or less. An underlying personality disorder, & antisocial behaviour during adolescence was common. The rate of previous admissions to hospital, police convictions, & sucidial attempts was high. Psychometric results suggest drinking was an attempt to alleviate neurotic symptoms. Compared to older alcoholics, they were more likely to have had a parent who drank excessively & to have come from a broken home. (21 refs) (RM)