RELATIONSHIP OF DEPRESSION WITH MEASURES OF SOCIAL FUNCTIONING IN ADULT-DRUG ABUSERS

The present study describes the relationship between depression and se veral measures of social functioning - including employment, criminal activity, incarceration, marital functioning, and alcohol and drug use - in a population of adult drug abusers. Our investigation extends pa st work in this area by specifically investigating the effects of depr ession (as opposed to simple substance use) on social and interpersona l functioning. Predictably, elevated levels of depression were associa ted with increased use of hard drugs and alcohol, greater levels of in stitutionalization, reduced attendance at work or school, and lower ov erall rates of marital satisfaction. Consistent with previous reports, level of marijuana use was not related to severity of depression. It appears that depressed substance abusers experience significantly more social, vocational, and interpersonal dysfunction than their nondepre ssed counterparts. It is proposed that the efficacy of existing treatm ent programs for adult drug abusers will be enhanced through the addit ion of strategies to assess and ameliorate depression.