Alcohol abuse-depression link
13 March 2009
The ongoing debate over the cause and effect relationship between alcohol abuse and mental disorder may have been clarified by new findings, experts say.
New Zealand researchers used statistical modelling to determine whether alcohol abuse and dependence led to major depression or vice versa among a cohort (group) of 1055 individuals tracked from birth to 25 years of age (Arch Gen Psychiatry 2009; 66:260-66).
The best fitting causal model was one in which problems with alcohol led to an increased risk of major depression, they concluded.
Participants with alcohol abuse or dependence were 66 per cent more likely to develop major depression, after adjustment for other factors including illicit drug use, stressful life events and unemployment.
Professor Gordon Parker, director of the school of psychiatry at the University of NSW, said it was an important finding because many people assumed that depression commonly led to excessive alcohol intake.
‘Both pathways are observed clinically, but this study suggests a much greater weighting on the impact of alcohol as a causal factor contributing to depression,’ he said.
Professor Ian Hickie, executive director of the Brain & Mind Research Institute, said the study was timely given the current focus in Australia on alcohol problems in young people.
‘It helps to diminish the idea that it’s only those with pre-existing [mental health] problems who get into trouble with alcohol,’ he said. ‘We don’t want to think there is no risk with alcohol problems.’
The authors said while the mechanisms were unclear, alcohol might trigger genetic markers that increased the risk of mental disorders.
Last Reviewed: 13 March 2009
- 1. Fergusson DM, Boden JM, Horwood LJ. Tests of causal links between alcohol abuse or dependence and major depression. Arch Gen Psychiatry 2009; 66(3): 260-6
