Seventy Kuwait alcohol and drug-dependent inpatients at Kuwait Psychiatric Hospital were compared with a matched group of 40 abstinent inpatients on a surgical ward in a general hospital in order to find out the drugs abused, pattern of consumption, the effect of prohibition and sanctions, motives, personality type, social complications, religious attitudes and family history. The majority abused alcohol (62%) followed by hypnotics. The reason most frequently stated for starting consumption was to relieve boredom (39%). Gamma type drinking was prominent at an early stage. The addicts showed a greater proportion of abnormal personalities. Prohibition and sanction had little effect but led to a shift to more toxic substances. The most common legal involvement was driving offenses. Compared with the control group there was higher marital instability and a higher incidence of alcohol and/or drug addicts in the families of the experimental group, and they were also less religious. The role of cultural and religious factors is discussed in detail.