Substance-Induced Versus Independent Depressions

~ Jason Schwartz

A new study on substance-induced major depressive episodes (MDE) reaches a bold conclusion:

This study corroborates a high rate of substance-induced MDEs among alcoholics, with these disorders explaining about half of the lifetime depressive episodes.

Also worth noting, substance induced depressive episodes were no less severe:

…symptoms during the worst depressive episode were quite similar across [subjects with substance induced MDEs] and [subjects with independent MDEs].

Unknown's avatar

Published by Jason Schwartz

I have been an addiction professional and social worker since 1994. I started blogging in 2005 as the Clinical Director at Dawn Farm. I currently serve as the Director of Social Work and Spiritual Care for a healthcare system. I've also served as the Director of Behavioral Health at another hospital. I'm also a lecturer at Eastern Michigan University’s School of Social Work. Views expressed here are my own. Keep in mind that the field, the contexts in which the field operates, and my views have changed over time.