This is a comparative study of 30 women, & 30 men alcoholics admitted to an alcoholism unit in the grounds of Graylingwell Hospital in Chichester, Sussex, England in 1966. They were matched in age and duration of marriage, educational attainment and social class. The women alcoholics showed emotional deprivation in childhood. Men alcoholics seemed to be more repeatedly unfaithful than women alcoholics. Suicidal attempts occurred in 11 of the women and 2 of the men.