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Pharmacological and Psychological Treatments for Comorbid Alcohol Use Disorder and Depressive Disorder: a Review

  • Dual Diagnosis (T George and A Hassan, Section Editors)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

The goal of this review was to provide a summary of pharmacological and psychological interventions for patients with comorbid alcohol use disorder (AUD) and depressive disorder.

Recent Findings

We identified 18 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating pharmacological interventions and 10 RCTs evaluating psychological interventions in patients with comorbid AUD and depression. Antidepressants were efficacious only in some trials. The combination of anti-alcohol medication and antidepressant may be more effective. Similarly, motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavioral treatment have some efficacy for treating these comorbid disorders.

Summary

Despite some mixed results, the current review suggests that pharmacological and psychological interventions have some efficacy for treating this population. Further research is necessary to develop more effective treatments for comorbid AUD and depressive disorder.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. VA Connecticut Healthcare System, #151-D, 950 Campbell Avenue, West Haven, CT, USA

    Gihyun Yoon

  2. Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA

    Gihyun Yoon & Ismene L. Petrakis

  3. VA Connecticut Healthcare System, #116-A, 950 Campbell Avenue, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA

    Ismene L. Petrakis

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Dr. Petrakis has provided consultation to Alkermes. Dr. Yoon has nothing to disclose.

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This review article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Dual Diagnosis

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Yoon, G., Petrakis, I.L. Pharmacological and Psychological Treatments for Comorbid Alcohol Use Disorder and Depressive Disorder: a Review. Curr Addict Rep 5, 312–322 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40429-018-0213-z

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