A prospective assessment of reports of drinking to self-medicate mood symptoms with the incidence and persistence of alcohol dependence.

ABSTRACT:

Importance

Mood disorders and alcohol dependence frequently co-occur. Etiologic theories concerning the comorbidity often focus on drinking to self-medicate or cope with affective symptoms. However, there have been few, if any, prospective studies in population-based samples of alcohol self-medication of mood symptoms with the occurrence of alcohol dependence. Furthermore, it is not known whether these associations are affected by treatment or symptom severity.

Objective

To evaluate the hypothesis that alcohol self-medication of mood symptoms increases the probability of subsequent onset and the persistence or chronicity of alcohol dependence.

Design

Prospective study using face-to-face interviews-the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions.

SUBMITTER: Crum RM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4151472 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature