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 in patients 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.