A total of 260 male alcoholics, consecutively admitted to the Veterans Administration Alcohol Treatment Unit in Knoxville, Iowa, were given a 219-item structured interview. The interview consisted of a detailed alcohol history and history of criteria for the diagnosis of antisocial personality and alcohol abuse/dependency as defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. When the treatment group was divided according to the presence or absence of antisocial personality disorder, the antisocial group was distinguished by several factors. Antisocial alcoholics were more likely to have an early onset of alcoholism and to be involved with other illicit drugs. They evidenced more difficulty in controlling their drinking, and they reported more alcohol-related problems as defined in DSM-III. Despite histories of a more severe form of alcoholism, the antisocials were no more likely than the other group to develop alcohol dependence or show signs of cognitive or hepatic toxicity. 8 tables, 22 references. (Author abstract modified)