Depression among alcohol dependent patients: a cross-sectional study

Background: Substance use disorder and alcohol dependence in particular, is a major mental health problem. Many persons with alcohol dependence also suffer from a comorbid psychiatric illness, particularly depression. Depressive disorders when undiagnosed or untreated can contribute to the severity of dependence and also increase the risk of suicide. Aims and objectives: (1) To identify the prevalence of depression among alcohol dependent patients. (2) To describe the association between comorbid depression and the severity of alcohol dependence. Methodology: All consenting patients in the age group of 18-60 years who attended the de-addiction clinic were included in the study. Socio-demographic data and clinical history of those who met the inclusion criteria were recorded. Diagnosis was made using MINI-PLUS according to the ICD-10 diagnostic criteria. Severity of alcohol dependence was rated using Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire (SADQ) and depression with Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D). Results: Seventy men participated in the study. Major depressive disorder was diagnosed in 22 (31.4%) of the subjects. Severity of alcohol dependence was assessed to be moderate in 70% of individuals. A significant association was noticed for the severity of alcoholism and severity of depression. Conclusion: Alcohol dependent individuals show a high rate of comorbid depression. The severity of alcoholism and severity of depression are statistically related.