A Study of Psychiatric Comorbidity in Alcohol Dependence.

ABSTRACT

Aim: To assess psychiatric comorbidity in patients of alcohol dependence. Method: All the patients of alcohol dependence attending alcohol and drug de-addiction OPD and adult psychiatry OPD on specific days were screened. Those fulfilling the selection criteria were included in the study. A detailed evaluation was done for socio-demographic variables and history of drug using semi-structured proforma especially prepared for the study. Diagnosis of alcohol dependence was made according to DSM-IV-TR criteria. The patients were seen for co-morbid psychiatric illness by applying Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-TR I & II (SCID I & II). Results: Out of 37 patients 24 (64.8%) were found to have comorbid psychiatric illness. Axis I and Axis II comorbidity was found in 64.8% and 5.4% of the samples, respectively. Patients of cluster A & B personality were equally distributed in the sample. Patients with more than one comorbidity accounted for 37.8% of the sample. Conclusion: Psychiatric comorbidity in alcohol dependence is very high. Number of comorbid diagnoses in a person may as high as three.