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The Disabling Nature of Comorbid Depression Among Older DUI Recipients
Author(s) -
Oslin David W.,
O'Brien Charles P.,
Katz Ira R.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
the american journal on addictions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.997
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-0391
pISSN - 1055-0496
DOI - 10.1080/105504999305938
Subject(s) - depression (economics) , medicine , psychiatry , psychology , economics , macroeconomics
Alcoholism and depression are two of the most common and disabling mental illnesses in late life. This study is a descriptive report of a sample of 49 adults who had recently been convicted of Driving Under the Influence of alcohol (DUI). A lifetime history of alcohol abuse or dependence was present in 48 subjects (98%), while a depressive disorder occurred in 24 (49%) of the subjects. Concurrent alcoholism and depression, present in 12 subjects (24.5%), produced greater self‐reported disability compared to those subjects with alcoholism alone. One‐year longitudinal follow‐up was available on 31 subjects (63.3%). Over the course of one year, there were no changes in drinking behavior, depressive symptoms, or self‐reported quality of life. These data support previous studies that suggest greater disability inpatients with concurrent mental illnesses.