Major Depression and Alcohol

Paper Summary:

This paper examines how the ways in which mood and alcohol use interact are complex and varied and which disorder comes first in dually diagnosed patients with major depression and alcohol dependency is the subject of debate in many research projects. It attempt to show how in order for the dual diagnoses of major depression and alcohol dependence to be treated effectively, planing and implementation of interventions need to be integrated appropriately to the patient's individual needs. It analyzes the relationship between depression with alcohol abuse and dependence. Treatment options are also reviewed and discussed.

From the Paper:

"When considering treatment interventions for the co-morbid diagnoses of alcohol abuse and depressive presentation, the first point of focus is a primary condition. Areas of diagnosis that require exploration are substance-induced mood disorder and depression secondary to alcohol abuse. The theory being that with abstinence these people would show improvement without pharmacological intervention. Where as a primary depression would continue in the absence of alcohol. This exploration can only occur through assessment prior and during a period of abstinence. Generally the literature appears to support this as a course of assessment. The time of abstinence is reported as three or more weeks before depression can be assessed as primary or secondary to the use of alcohol (McGrath, Nunes and Quitkins 2000). The DSM-4 recommends a one month period of abstinence before a diagnosis of disorder of mood can be reported independent of alcohol induced mood disorder (Moak et al 2003)."

More papers on Major Depression and Alcohol:

• Term Paper # 99495 : "Mood Disorders and Depression"
• Analytical Essay # 6857 : "William Styron: Dealing With Depression"
• Essay # 28720 : "Bipolar and Unipolar Disorders"

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