Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 21, 2026

Chronic Intermittent Ethanol Vapor Exposure Paired with Two-Bottle Choice to Model Alcohol Use Disorder
Published on: June 23, 2023
Discriminating between substance-induced and independent depressive episodes in alcohol dependent patients
Susan E Ramsey1, Christopher W Kahler, Jennifer P Read
1Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown Medical School, Providence, Rhode Island 02903, USA. Susan_Ramsey@Brown.edu
Objective:
The purpose of this study is to examine the accuracy with which the depressive episodes of alcoholics undergoing treatment are classified as substance-induced depression (SID) or independent major depressive disorder (MDD).
Method:
Participants were 95 patients (64 men) undergoing partial hospital treatment for alcohol dependence. Affective disorders were assessed at baseline and 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months later.
Results:
Over one quarter of the depressive episodes originally diagnosed as SID were reclassified as MDD during the 1-year follow-up, due to a continuation of the depressive episode despite a period of prolonged abstinence from alcohol and drugs. Both history of MDD and lower levels of alcohol dependence were associated with diagnostic change from SID to MDD.
Conclusions:
These findings support the diagnostic complexity of these two types of depressive disorders and point to clinical features that may differentiate them.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia
Drug Dependence
CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine
Depressants
Alcohol is a common depressant that can induce a sense of relaxation and reduced inhibition at low doses. Contrary to its occasional...
Antidepressant Drugs: MAOIs and Other Agents

