There is converging evidence that alcohol-dependent individuals with co-occurring major depressive disorder constitute a patient group particularly difficult to treat (Pettinati HM, 2004). Further, people with co-occurring SUD and mood and anxiety disorders are less likely than persons with pure disorders alone to comply with treatment regimen, more likely to experience suicidal behavior, adverse psychosocial consequences, depression, homelessness; they also incur higher treatment costs (Bartels et al., 1992; Drake et al., 1996). From a treatment perspective, the converse is likely to be true that alleviation of one condition may facilitate recovery from the other. Previous research has suggested that treating a comorbid affective disorder may reduce the likelihood of substance abuse and craving (Cornelius et al., 1997).
