Background: This paper is a theoretical introduction to an intended trilogy on differences between male and female alcoholism. Objective of this first part is to bring a review of literary information on: differences in drinking behaviour (as a social and cultural phenomenon) and differences related to the concept of alcohol dependence (as a medical and socio-economic phenomenon). Methodology: Study of current international literature from PubMed database and a com-mon periodical of Slovakian authors (Alkohol Drog Záv, previously Protialkohol Obz), from the 1980s. Results: The main differences in drinking behaviour encompass practically all aspects – quantity, frequency, the so called “binge” (heavy episodic) drinking, and preference of different beverages. Differences related to the concept of dependence encompass a vast field of knowledge, aspects chosen here are prevalence, clinical picture, course, comorbidity of mental disordes, mortality and suicide rates, and partially social correlates. The review discloses a lack of systematic research in Slovakia in this field and brings a strong impression that the theme of gender differences, especially female alcoholism, is considerably mythicised. Differences in chosen aspects of personal and family history, separately occurence of smoking behaviour, and an overview of laboratory markers shall be a subject to the following parts, together with our own sample of 431 inpatients treated from 2004 to 2008. In the beginning of this work we present also an overview of etiology of the above-described differences viewed as an interaction of genetic and environmental factors, hypothetically assigned to five classes: 1. biological (genetic, seasonal, changes in electrical activity of the brain, modulatory effect of female hormones), 2. physiological (emphasized is currently different body water and potentially a distinct effect of ethanol on brain tissue), 3. psychological, loosing its popularity, 4. socioeconomic and 5. social and cultural factors living its revival currently thanks to financial support. Conclusion: Due to certain surprising results it is preliminarily recommended to conduct each study with regard to at least two main dimensions: 1. age (especially if a group of adolescents is included) and more importantly 2. gender.

Key words: alcoholism – alcohol dependence – gender, sex differences – female alcoholism – etiology of alcoholism – research in alcoholism