Depressive symptoms and DSM-III-R alcohol dependence: general population results.

The DSM-III-R diagnostic criteria for alcohol dependence differ considerably from older criteria. We examined the association of depressive mood and symptoms with alcohol dependence as defined by DSM-III-R in a national sample of 2627 current drinkers. Depressive mood and symptoms were measured with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale (CESD). A significant univariate association between CESD scores and DSM-III-R alcohol dependence was confirmed in a multivariate analysis that controlled for demographic characteristics, regular use of drugs, alcohol consumption and recent serious interpersonal loss. Issues in the study of depression and alcohol dependence are considered, and potential future research directions suggested.