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Anxiety and depression among patients with alcohol dependence: co-morbid or substance-related problems?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2017

C. Gallagher ,
Z. Radmall ,
C. O’Gara  and
T. Burke
C. Gallagher*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Saint John of God Hospital, Stillorgan, Co. Dublin, Ireland Department of Psychology, Saint John of God Menni Services, Islandbridge, Dublin, Ireland School of Psychology, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
Z. Radmall
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Saint John of God Hospital, Stillorgan, Co. Dublin, Ireland
C. O’Gara
Affiliation:
Addictions Unit, Saint John of God Hospital, Stillorgan, Co. Dublin, Ireland School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
T. Burke
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland School of Nursing and Human Sciences, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin, Ireland
*
*Address for correspondence: Dr C. Gallagher, Department of Psychology, Saint John of God Hospital, Stillorgan, A94 FH92 Co. Dublin, Ireland. (Email: colin.gallagher@sjog.ie)
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Abstract

Objectives

There are conflicting reports on the levels of anxiety and depression in individuals with alcohol problems and whether these conditions are substance-related or independent of the alcohol problem. The aim of this study was to characterise rates of co-morbid psychiatric symptoms among a group of individuals commencing treatment for alcohol dependence, and to examine the stability of these symptoms following treatment of the alcohol problem.

Methods

Symptoms of anxiety and depression were examined in a group of individuals (n=93) undergoing residential treatment for alcohol dependence. Symptoms were measured at treatment entry and again at treatment completion using the Beck Anxiety Inventory and the Beck Depression Inventory – II.

Results

High levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms were reported at treatment entry, but on completion of treatment (28 days later) the majority of participants were no longer reporting symptoms suggestive of a possible co-morbid condition.

Conclusions

The significant change in rates of reported symptoms following completion of treatment suggests that a large proportion of symptoms reported at treatment entry were substance related. Diagnosing co-morbid conditions is best left until after a period of abstinence during which the alcohol problem has been treated. Assessing for co-morbidity at time of treatment seeking is likely to result in inappropriate co-morbid diagnoses being made and inappropriate or unnecessary treatments being prescribed for such individuals.

Keywords

Alcohol co-morbidityalcohol-induced disordersalcohol-related disorders, anxietydepression
Type
Original Research
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 35 , Issue 2 , June 2018 , pp. 121 - 126
Copyright
© College of Psychiatrists of Ireland 2017 

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