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Depression and relapses in treated chronic alcoholics
The International Journal of the Addictions
|February 1, 1995
Summary
This study on male alcoholics found that sustained abstinence after treatment led to consistently low depression scores. Relapse to alcohol use immediately increased depression, which improved again with renewed abstinence.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Addiction Medicine
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Alcoholism is frequently comorbid with depression.
- Understanding the relationship between alcohol use and depression is crucial for effective treatment.
- Longitudinal data on depression trajectories in alcoholics post-treatment are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between drinking behavior and depression levels in male alcoholics.
- To track depression scores up to one year after inpatient alcohol rehabilitation.
- To assess the impact of abstinence and relapse on depression symptoms.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 99 male alcoholics was studied at a rehabilitation clinic.
- Drinking/abstinence behavior and depression were recorded post-discharge.
- Follow-up data were collected for up to one year on a subset of patients.
Main Results:
- Initial depression scores significantly decreased by the end of inpatient treatment.
- Sustained abstainers showed continued decline and low depression scores throughout follow-up.
- Resumption of alcohol use was associated with sharp increases in depression scores, which decreased upon return to abstinence.
Conclusions:
- Maintaining abstinence is strongly linked to reduced depression in individuals recovering from alcoholism.
- Alcohol relapse is a significant trigger for increased depressive symptoms.
- Treatment and sustained abstinence appear to be effective in managing depression in this population.