Treatment of Depression in Patients with Alcohol or Drug Dependence

Abstract

This chapter provides a summary of a landmark study on the treatment of major depressive disorder and co-morbid substance use disorders. Are antidepressants efficacious in treatment of combined depression and substance use disorders? Starting with that question, it describes the basics of the study, including funding, study location, who was studied, how many patients, study design, study intervention, follow-up, endpoints, results, and criticism and limitations. The main study findings suggest that Major Depressive Disorder can be effectively treated with antidepressant medications in patients with co-morbid substance use disorders. The chapter briefly reviews other relevant studies and information, discusses implications, and concludes with a relevant clinical case.