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[Alcohol dependence and anxious disorders: dangerous liaisons]
1Inserm U894, faculté de médecine Necker, université Paris V, France. p.gorwood@ch-sainte-anne.fr
La Revue Du Praticien
|July 14, 2010
Summary
Anxiety disorders and alcohol dependence frequently co-occur, with each condition increasing the risk of the other. Effective treatment for anxiety in alcohol dependence begins with detoxification to manage toxicity and improve therapeutic efficacy.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Neuroscience
- Epidemiology
Context:
- Anxiety disorders and alcohol dependence exhibit a significant comorbidity, exceeding chance occurrences.
- Alcohol dependence elevates the risk of anxiety disorders sixfold, while anxiety disorders triple the risk of alcohol dependence.
Purpose:
- To explore the bidirectional relationship between anxiety disorders and alcohol dependence.
- To investigate the impact of anxiety on the progression of alcohol consumption patterns.
- To inform treatment strategies for co-occurring anxiety and alcohol use disorders.
Summary:
- Anxiety disorders moderately increase the risk of regular alcohol consumption and significantly raise the risk of alcohol dependence in abusers.
- Specific anxiety symptoms, like morning nausea relieved by alcohol, can indicate the link.
- Treatment necessitates initial detoxification due to increased medication toxicity and reduced efficacy of certain therapies (e.g., benzodiazepines, cognitive behavioral therapy) in individuals with high alcohol consumption.
Impact:
- Highlights the critical need for integrated treatment approaches for comorbid anxiety and alcohol use disorders.
- Suggests that detoxification should precede other interventions like psychotherapy for better outcomes.
- Emphasizes the importance of assessing anxiety symptoms in patients with alcohol dependence for improved management and relapse prevention.
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