THE EFFECT OF DEPRESSION ON RETURN TO DRINKING - A PROSPECTIVE-STUDY

Background: The effect of depression on return to drinking among indiv iduals with alcohol dependence is controversial. From February 1, 1993 , to April 15, 1996, we consecutively recruited 40 women and 61 men ho spitalized for alcohol dependence and followed them up monthly for 1 y ear to assess the effect of depression on drinking outcomes. Methods: We conducted structured interviews during hospitalization and monthly following discharge for 1 year to determine whether depression at trea tment entry affected the likelihood of return to drinking and whether this effect differed between sexes. Using survival analysis, we examin ed the effect of depressive symptoms and a diagnosis of current major depression at treatment entry on times to first drink and relapse duri ng follow-up. Results: A diagnosis of current major depression at the time of hospitalization was associated with shorter times to first dri nk (hazard ratio, 2.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.28-3.21; P=.00 3) and relapse (hazard ratio, 2.12; 95% CI, 1.32-3.39; P=.002). There was no significant difference between women and men in this effect. De pressive symptoms as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory did not predict time to first drink or relapse in women or men. Conclusions: A diagnosis Of current major depression at entry into inpatient treatm ent for alcohol dependence predicted shorter times to first drink and relapse in women and men. Our results differ from earlier reports that men and women differ in the effect of depression on return to drinkin g.