DOES DEPRESSION PREDICT RELAPSE IN THE 6 MONTHS FOLLOWING TREATMENT FOR MEN WITH ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE

Objective: To investigate whether depression measured at the time of t reatment predicts relapse of alcohol dependence in the 6 months follow ing treatment of alcohol-dependent men. Method: Ninety-three subjects with moderate-severe alcohol dependence (DSM-III-R), recruited from a 3-week, abstinence-focused therapeutic program, were assessed for curr ent and lifetime major depression using the SCID-P and baseline depres sive symptoms using the SCL-90, and then followed up for 6 months. Dri nking outcomes were based on multiple sources of data. Results: Relaps e was not associated with either lifetime major depression, or baselin e depressive symptoms; inadequate numbers of subjects with a current m ajor depression precluded statistical analysis of this variable. Concl usions: Neither lifetime major depression, nor the degree of depressiv e symptoms in alcohol-dependent men at the time of treatment, compromi se drinking outcomes in the 6 months following treatment.