Diagnosis and treatment of alcohol-dependent patients with comorbid psychiatric disorders

Psychiatric disorders occur move often among alcoholics than among the gene ral population, The psychiatric disorders that alcoholics most frequently e xperience include mood disorders (e.g., depression), anxiety disorders, and antisocial personality disorder. The evaluation of psychiatric symptoms in alcoholic patients is complicated by the multiple relationships that exist among heavy drinking, psychiatric symptoms, and personality factors, For e xample, alcoholics with co-occurring depression may be at greater risk of p sychosocial problems, relapse, and suicide. Conversely, heavy drinking may produce or worsen symptoms of depression or anxiety, Although clinical expe rience provides general guidance for treating these patients, further resea rch is needed to develop effective psychosocial and pharmacological therapi es aimed at specific combinations of psychiatric and addictive disorders.