Notwithstanding these limitations, the current analyses highlight a potentially significant risk factor for both the development and persistence of alcohol dependence that may be an appropriate target for prevention efforts. Although it’s widely accepted that individuals with mood disorders should receive appropriate treatment, there is a large group of individuals with sub-threshold mood symptoms who may be at equal risk for dependence and generally do not receive treatment. Individuals with subclinical or sub-threshold symptoms are unlikely to seek out mental health treatment, but may attempt to cope with their early mood symptoms with alternate strategies. They may not be aware of the importance of avoiding alleviation of mood symptoms with alcohol. Early identification and educational efforts, particularly in clinical settings where at-risk individuals potentially are more readily targeted, may have an impact on reducing the development and chronicity of alcohol dependence.
