PSYCHIATRIC IMPLICATIONS OF ALCOHOLISM AND TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY

The authors examined the synergism between pathologic patterns of alco hol consumption and traumatic brain injury (TBI) and its implications for psychiatric practice. The information that forms the basis of this review was identified by a computer-assisted search of the English-la nguage literature for appropriate articles. The literature suggests th at alcohol abuse/dependence can precipitate behavior resulting in head trauma and that chronic alcohol abuse potentiates the mechanical and neurochemical processes involved in TBI, often resulting in a subseque nt dual diagnosis of alcohol dependence and organic mental disorder. T he magnitude of clinical morbidity, as documented by a broad range of epidemiologic studies associated with this topic, is considerable, and the authors hope it may be significantly reduced with increased educa tion of health care professionals and with the education and psychiatr ic treatment of patients who are at risk for this condition.