Psychiatric comorbidities in alcohol use disorder

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Neuroscience
• Public Health

Background:

• Alcohol use disorder (AUD) significantly contributes to global morbidity and mortality.
• AUD frequently co-occurs with other psychiatric disorders, but the nature of this comorbidity is debated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine psychiatric disorders associated with AUD.
• To investigate the prevalence, temporal nature, and lifespan mechanisms of AUD comorbidity.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on AUD comorbidity.
• Analysis of prevalence data and temporal relationships.
• Exploration of potential causal mechanisms across the lifespan.

Main Results:

• AUD co-occurs with a broad spectrum of psychiatric disorders, notably substance use disorders and externalizing disorders (e.g., aggression).
• Causal pathways between AUD and other psychiatric disorders are heterogeneous.
• Potential explanations include shared genetic/environmental factors, shared psychopathology, and reciprocal causation.

Conclusions:

• The relationship between AUD and other psychiatric disorders is complex and multifaceted.
• Understanding these associations across the lifespan is critical for research and clinical practice.
• Further research is needed to fully elucidate the intricate links between AUD and comorbid psychiatric conditions.