Bipolar Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Bipolar, including details on bipolar disorder, symptoms, treatment, depression, medication.

Co-occurring Alcohol Use and Mental Disorders.

Ries RK

Division of Addictions, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA.

Psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder are common in patients who have alcohol dependence. Because of the similarities in symptoms of psychiatric disorders and those caused by alcohol dependence, differential diagnosis is often difficult, and therefore, one or both disorders may be left undiagnosed and untreated, resulting in poor outcomes. Furthermore, for those with co-occurring mental and addictive disorders, mental health treatment is also complicated by increased rates of nonadherence to medications and other treatments. This review covers the prevalence of co-occurring alcohol dependence and psychiatric disorders, problems associated with co-occurrence, and practical models for addressing alcohol dependence and relapse prevention by clinicians who treat mental disorders. In particular, an integrated treatment approach in which biological, psychological, and social support components are brought together to treat both disorders simultaneously into a single program is described as an effective strategy for treating patients with co-occurring alcohol dependence and psychiatric disorders.

Published 20 November 2006 in J Clin Psychopharmacol, 26: S30-6.
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