1MD, Department of Psychiatry, Govt. Medical College, Kozhikode
4Currently working at PHC, Malayalapuzha, Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India
2MD, Department of Psychiatry, Govt. Medical College, Kozhikode, Kerala, India
3MD, Department of Community Medicine, Govt. Medical College, Kozhikode, Kerala, India
Substance use disorder and alcohol dependence in particular, is a major mental health problem. Many persons with alcohol dependence also suffer from a comorbid psychiatric illness, particularly depression. Depressive disorders when undiagnosed or untreated can contribute to the severity of dependence and also increase the risk of suicide.
(1) To identify the prevalence of depression among alcohol dependent patients. (2) To describe the association between comorbid depression and the severity of alcohol dependence.
All consenting patients in the age group of 18–60 years who attended the de-addiction clinic were included in the study. Socio-demographic data and clinical history of those who met the inclusion criteria were recorded. Diagnosis was made using MINI-PLUS according to the ICD-10 diagnostic criteria. Severity of alcohol dependence was rated using Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire (SADQ) and depression with Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D).
Seventy men participated in the study. Major depressive disorder was diagnosed in 22 (31.4%) of the subjects. Severity of alcohol dependence was assessed to be moderate in 70% of individuals. A significant association was noticed for the severity of alcoholism and severity of depression.
Alcohol dependent individuals show a high rate of comorbid depression. The severity of alcoholism and severity of depression are statistically related.
Substance-Related Disorders, Comorbidity, Prevalence
