Co-morbid depression and drinking outcome in those with alcohol dependence

Depressed and non-depressed (pre-admission and post-detoxification) alcohol-dependent patients were followed-up on two occasions over a period of 5 months following detoxification from alcohol. Detailed measures of alcohol consumption, alcohol-related problems and abstinence status were taken throughout the follow-up period. No significant differences were found between those with a diagnosis of depression and those with alcohol dependence alone, regardless of whether diagnosis of depression was made post-detoxification or pre-admission, on any drinking outcome measure including abstinence status, alcohol consumption, pattern of drinking, or alcohol-related problems. Neither a diagnosis of depression in the post-detoxification period nor in the pre-admission episode was related to drinking outcome at follow-up, which suggests that co-morbid depression does not confer a worse outcome in those with alcohol dependence.