Double screening for dual disorder, alcoholism and depression

Comorbidity of alcohol use disorder and major depressive disorder has been reported in samples. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between alcoholism and depression in undiagnosed patients by simultaneously applying screening tests for both disorders. A total of 421 subjects were included in the study, of which 246 were female. Two screening tests, the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test and the Beck Depression Inventory, were used. In the total sample, 28.03% of the respondents engaged in some type of harmful alcohol use and 55.82% experienced some level of depression; 24.70% of the respondents had both at the same time, some type of harmful alcohol use and some level of depression. Results of statistical analysis showed that a more problematic alcohol use type was associated with a more severe level of depression, with a greater positive association between problematic alcohol use and severity of depressive symptoms among females and more harmful alcohol consumption among males. This study points to the importance of screening for alcoholism and depression, because their timely detection and treatment improves the quality of life in newly diagnosed individuals and reduces the economic burden on society for health services due to greater use if a greater severity of dual disorder is reached.