Effects of alcohol consumption on the treatment of depression among elderly patients

The authors examined the effects of alcohol use on the short-term and 3-4-month treatment outcomes of patients with late-life depression. Patients (N = 2,666) were assessed for symptoms of depression, alcohol use, and disability during an initial inpatient hospitalization and then 3-4 months postdischarge. Contrary to our hypothesis that alcohol consumption imparted a significant additive detriment to treatment outcome inpatients already suffering from major depression, the results suggest that treatment was effective! even in those with concomitant use of alcohol. Moreover; there appeared to be an added benefit when even modest alcohol consumption was decreased among elderly patients suffering from depression.