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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Nekisha E. Lakins, MA¹, Hsiao-ye Yi, PhD¹, Harold T. Yahr, PhD², and Daniel E. Falk, PhD¹. (1) Alcohol Epidemiologic Data System, NIAAA/NIH, CSR, Incorporated, 2107 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1000, Arlington, VA 22201, 703-312-5220, nlakins@csrincorporated.com, (2) National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, 5635 Fishers Lane, MSC 9304, Bethesda, MD 20892-9304

Background: The self-medication hypothesis (SMH) (Khanztian, 1985) serves as a possible explanation for the relatively high comorbidity of substance use and psychological disorders, and continues to receive attention in the current literature. A recent study found that, among adults with any mood and anxiety disorder (MAD) in the general population, about 11 percent reported using alcohol and/or drugs to relieve their psychological symptoms, with alcohol as the dominant substance of choice (Lakins et al., 2005). Building on this work, the current study examines the relationship between self-medication and the comorbidity of MADs and alcohol use disorders (AUDs).

Methods: 7,659 respondents with any of 9 past-year MADs (substance-induced ruled out) were selected from the 2001-2002 National Epidemiological Study on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC). Self-medication was measured by a single question per psychological disorder that asked respondents whether they drank alcohol in order to relieve disorder-specific symptoms (e.g. low mood, panic attacks). Logistic regression was used to assess the effect of self-medication on the risk for comorbid AUDs, controlling for sociodemographic characteristics and specific MADs.

Results: Overall, 14 percent of people with any MAD had a comorbid AUD. Compared with non-self-medicators, self-medicators had a significantly increased risk for comorbidity (adjusted OR=12.6, p<0.0001), and were more likely to have the onset of MADs prior to or concurrent with (as opposed to following) the onset of AUDs.

Conclusions: The results support the SMH and underline the importance of preventing the mismanagement of psychological symptoms and the development of AUDs among individuals with MADs.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this presentation, participants will (
• Learn the prevalence of comorbid alcohol use disorders among adults with mood and anxiety disorders; (
• Understand how self-medication with alcohol is associated with the comorbidity; and (
• Recognize the importance of preventing the mismanagement of psychological symptoms and the development of alcohol use disorders among individuals with mood and anxiety disorders.

Keywords: Alcohol Problems,

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered