Citation

McHugh RK, Weiss RD. Alcohol Res. 2019; 40(1): e1.

Affiliation

R. Kathryn McHugh, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, and an associate psychologist in the Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts. Roger D. Weiss, M.D., is a professor in the Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, and the chief of the Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (USA))

DOI

10.35946/arcr.v40.1.01

PMID

31649834

PMCID

PMC6799954

Abstract

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) and depressive disorders are among the most prevalent psychiatric disorders and co-occur more often than expected by chance. The aim of this review is to characterize the prevalence, course, and treatment of co-occurring AUD and depressive disorders. Studies have indicated that the co-occurrence of AUD and depressive disorders is associated with greater severity and worse prognosis for both disorders. Both pharmacologic and behavioral treatments have demonstrated efficacy for this population. However, treatment response is somewhat modest, particularly for drinking outcomes, highlighting the importance of further research on the etiology and treatment of co-occurring AUD and depressive disorders. Key future directions include studies to understand the heterogeneity of both AUD and depressive disorders, research on novel treatment approaches to enhance outcomes, and better understanding of sex and gender differences.

Language: en

Keywords

alcohol use disorder; co-occurring disorders; depression; dysthymia; sex differences