Use of Antidepressants in Patients with Co-occurring Depression and Substance Use Disorders

Abstract

This chapter reviews antidepressant treatment considerations and recommendations for patients with co-occurring depression and substance use disorders. Depression and substance use disorders are highly comorbid conditions. Substance use disorders are chronic disorders that result in a cluster of symptoms indicating that an individual continues to use a substance despite significant problems resulting from their use. About 17 million Americans have an alcohol use disorder, and another approximately 7 million individuals have other drug use disorders (not including alcohol) in the United States. The rate of any substance use disorder (including alcohol) in individuals with major depressive disorder is 32% based on a national survey. Evidence suggests that the best outcome for individual with co-occurring conditions is treating both conditions simultaneously. Therefore, practitioners should know the following before prescribing antidepressants for patients with co-occurring substance use disorders: (1) treatment recommendations for patients with co-occurring depression and substance use disorders, (2) potential antidepressant interactions with alcohol and drugs of abuse, and (3) do antidepressants have a risk of misuse? Finally, we will summarize antidepressant treatment recommendations for patients with co-occurring depression and substance use disorders.