Alcohol and drug abuse in patients with affective syndromes

Levels of drug and alcohol abuse were assessed in a large sample (n = 835) of patients with affective syndromes. Almost one-fourth of the patients had abused alcohol or drugs at a clinically significant level during their current episode. Multiple regression techniques were used to assess whether certain characteristics were associated with increased alcohol or drug use in this sample, as they had been previously in epidemiologic surveys. Being younger, male, nonmarried, lower socioeconomic status, and having a low degree of religious involvement were all associated, with some differences in how these effects worked for alcohol and for drugs. This corresponds well with findings from major community surveys. Better treatment outcomes may be achieved if clinicians take these findings into account. Implications for research into affective disorders as a risk factor for substance abuse are suggestive but less clear.