Posted by Larry Hoover on November 7, 2005, at 7:51:58
In reply to Re: Acohole Survey, posted by Kreedi on November 6, 2005, at 13:57:16
> Is this true or somewhat hyperbolic?
Somewhat hyperbolic, but IMHO an appropriate expression in this instance.
> I've read that alcohol is a CNS depressant, that ADs can potentiate the effects of alcohol, and that the use of the two together should be avoided or minimized. But I've never come across any literature stating or suggesting that heavy drinking completely wipes out AD efficacy.
I have, and it's generally in the form of an opinion, not a clinical study.
In the clinical studies I've read, those who made the greatest efforts to reduce their drinking were able to obtain the greatest likelihood of response to a concurrent antidepressant. The heaviest drinkers were the hardest to help. The way the stats from a study are presented, you really learn about the average effect of the intervention. Those who run the study see the exceptional cases for what they are. I've spoken to people who run dual diagnosis treatment centres (I'm an addictions counsellor who never practised. Hell, I'm a dual diagnosis subject.), and steady heavy drinkers who also take an antidepressant tend to find no benefit from the antidepressant.
> I'd be grateful for more information/references/stories on the subject.
>
> Thanks,
> KreediI don't have any current references at hand. Sorry. Googling "dual diagnosis" alcohol antidepressant should get some hits. The quotes around the dual diagnosis are to have it treated as a phrase.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:575907
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20051106/msgs/576289.html