THE EFFECTS OF MAJOR DEPRESSION ON ALCOHOLISM - 5-YEAR COURSE

Some patients come into treatment with clear cases of both major depre ssion (MDD) and alcoholism. Although assumptions are often made about the relationships of these two conditions, little empirical informatio n exists on the effects of changes in MDD on the course of alcoholism in patients presenting at psychiatric facilities. The authors used sur vival analysis with time-dependent covariates to investigate the effec ts of remissions and relapses of MDD on the 5-year course of alcoholis m in 127 dual diagnosis patients. Changes in the status of MDD had str ong, significant effects on the course of alcoholism. Improvement in M DD status increased the chances of remission in alcoholism and reduced the chances of alcoholism relapse. The status of MDD appears to have an effect on the course of alcoholism in patients with severe affectiv e disorders.