Psychiatric comorbidities and alcohol craving are known contributors to differences in alcohol consumption patterns.

Univariate and multivariable linear regression models were used to examine the association and interactions between the Inventory of Drug Taking Situations (IDTS) negative, positive and temptation sub-scale scores, sex, as well as co-morbid depression and anxiety determined by Psychiatric Research Interview of Substance and Mood Disorders (PRISM) with alcohol consumption measured by Time Line Follow Back (TLFB) during preceding 90 days in 287 males and 156 females meeting DSM-IV criteria for alcohol dependence.

IDTS positive, negative and temptation scores were strongly associated with increased alcohol consumption measures including the number of drinks per day and number of drinking days per week (P < 0.0001). Male sex was associated with higher amount of alcohol consumption per drinking day (P < 0.001), but not with the number of drinking days per week (P > 0.05). In men, lifetime history of depression was associated with fewer drinking days (P = 0.0084) and fewer hazardous drinking days (P = 0.0214) but not with differences in daily alcohol consumption. In women, depression history was not significantly associated with alcohol consumption measures. Post-hoc sex-stratified analyses suggested that the association of the negative IDTS score with total amount of alcohol consumed by men may be modified (decreased) by lifetime depression history. We found no associations of alcohol consumption measures with anxiety or substance-induced depression.

Decreased frequency of drinking in male alcoholics with lifetime depression history is unexpected. This finding emphasizes the complex relationships between alcoholism and depression, which require further investigation.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.