NZ study into alcohol dependence and depression

A study into the best treatment for both alcohol dependence and depression – thought to be a world first– will get under way in New Zealand later this month.

Funded by the Health Council over 3 ½ years, the research is being led by the National Addiction Centre at Otago University, Christchurch, and will be launched in Whangarei, Auckland, Hamilton, Christchurch and Dunedin.

`Alcohol is our favourite drug and depression is the common cold of mental conditions," study leader Professor Doug Sellman said today.

"Alcohol use can directly cause depression."

The combination of alcohol dependence and depression was one of the most common co-morbid conditions in people coming for help at addiction treatment services, and affected thousands of New Zealanders.

The Treatment Evaluation of Alcohol and Mood (TEAM) study was now looking for 220 participants, in six key nationwide sites, and 25 investigators were involved in the major study, Prof Sellman said.

"This is a great opportunity for people who have alcohol dependence and depression, (alcoholic depression) to get free treatment over an extended period."

Prof Sellman said it was also a chance to help improve the treatment of both these conditions throughout the country.

The TEAM study was investigating for the first time whether or not health results were better for people who suffered from both alcohol and depression, if they were given medication for both conditions at the same time.

"The conventional approach to treatment of people with alcohol and depression problems has been to deal with alcohol dependence first, and then address the depression."

The study would provide all participants with the anti-craving drug Naltrexone for three months, which has been used in New Zealand for the past three years.

Half the participants would also be given an anti-depressant Citalopram, and half a placebo. Participants would also receive expert clinical case management during and after the trial.

"The key question is does the use of an antidepressant at the same time as the anti-craving drug improve the outcome for both depression and drinking?" Prof Sellman said.

The health researchers would also examine how genetic differences between individuals affected their response to the different treatments.

- NZPA