Alcohol abuse may result in symptoms of depression. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of detoxification on depressive symptoms in alcohol abusing/dependent subjects

The sample comprised 240 alcohol dependent individuals (175 males, 65 females) who were treated either with sole psychotherapy or psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy as an adjunct. The Zung Depression Scale (ZDS) was used for the assessment of depressive symptoms. The scale was administered at the beginning and at the end of the detoxification period that lasted 4-6 weeks. T-test for paired samples was used for the comparison of Zung scores between the two time points.

Mean age of subjects was 46,4±11.1 years (male: 46.7±11.3, female: 45.6±10.9) and mean alcohol consumption was 316.5±218.7 gr/day, (male: 367.3±223.9, female: 151.8±70.6 gr/day). Scores were indicative of severe symptoms of depression (score >70) before initiation of treatment. By the end of the detoxification period psychopathology significantly subsided (admission vs. discharge: 76.3±5.8 vs. 35.7±3.9; p<.000).

Alcohol abusing/dependent individuals exhibit severe depressive symptoms, as assessed through the ZDS. Following 4-6 weeks of detoxification these symptoms subside and reach normal levels. These results are in agreement with previous findings of our group with the use of Hamilton Depression Rating Scale as the assessment tool.