DO SPECIFIC ANXIETY DISORDERS SHOW SPECIFIC DRUG PROBLEMS

Objective: Comorbidity between anxiety and substance use disorders was examined. The hypothesis was tested that social phobics may report gr eater problem alcohol use (if alcohol is used to manage social anxiety ) while problem use of sedative-hypnotics may be greater in people wit h panic (who may be over-prescribed anxiolytics because they repeatedl y seek medical assistance). Method: Self-reported lifetime rates of dr ug and alcohol problems were assessed with the computerised Diagnostic Interview Schedule - Revised. Subjects were 146 consecutive patients treated for panic disorder (with and without agoraphobia) and social p hobia at the Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety Disorders. Results: Hi gh prevalences of alcohol problems (three times that expected) and pro blem use of sedative hypnotics (eight times that expected) were found in all diagnoses. Social phobics exhibited comparatively high rates of problem alcohol use, but no diagnostic specific differences in proble m sedative-hypnotic use were found. Conclusion: Routine screening for drug and alcohol problems is necessary for patients with anxiety disor ders.