THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DSM-IV ALCOHOL-USE DISORDERS AND DSM-IV MAJOR DEPRESSION - EXAMINATION OF THE PRIMARY SECONDARY DISTINCTION IN A GENERAL-POPULATION SAMPLE

This study examined the primary-secondary distinction with respect to DSM-IV alcohol use disorders and major depression in a large represent ative sample of the USA. Primary, secondary and concurrent depressives (i.e. the comorbid groups), respondents classified with major depress ion only and respondents classified with alcohol use disorders only we re compared on a large number of sociodemographic, alcohol-related, de pression-related and drug-related variables, Results were at variance with a majority of findings from the treatment literature with regard to familial aggregation of alcohol use disorders and sociodemographic, alcohol and depression profiles. Implications of the results are disc ussed in terms of the diagnostic and prognostic significance of the pr imary-secondary distinction.