Comorbidity of Depression and Alcohol Use Disorders

Major depression affects approximately 10 million Americans or roughly 5 percent of the population and is the leading cause of disability in the United States. Similarly, alcohol problems, including at-risk drinking, alcohol abuse, and alcohol dependence, are highly prevalent. Patients with depression frequently have alcohol problems. Alcohol problems in depressed patients present diagnostic and management challenges and may adversely affect the course of depression and its response to standard therapies. It is important to understand the psychobiology of the co-morbidity of depression and alcohol use disorders and to develop new treatment modalities for patients with this co-morbidity.This book will contribute to this goal. The contributors to this book are the best international experts in the field of the co-morbidity of depression and alcohol use disorders. This important book will be of interest to physicians, psychologists, mental health counsellors, other clinicians, medical and psychology students, and medical residents.