Comorbidity Between Psychiatric Diseases and Alcohol Use Disorders: Impact of Adolescent Alcohol Consumption

Abstract

Patients suffering from psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorders often suffer from alcohol abuse or dependence. Conversely, most alcohol-dependent patients suffer from other psychiatric disorders including depressive or anxiety disorders, with increased risk of suicide ideation and attempts. Adolescence is a crucial period of brain maturation but also of vulnerability to alcohol use disorders and other psychiatric diseases. While global alcohol consumption is decreasing in numerous Western countries, adolescent drinking is increasing with specific patterns of drinking called “binge drinking” leading to massive intoxication in a short period of time. Clinical and preclinical studies investigating the relationship between adolescent alcohol consumption and subsequent psychiatric disorders in patients or in animal models of psychiatric disorders will be described here and discussed.