Psychiatric Comorbidity among Alcohol Dependants

Background: Alcohol dependence is often associated with other psychiatric disorders in clinical and community samples of alcoholics. In turn, co-morbid mental illness complicates the psychopathology of substance dependence and its treatment. Aim: This study was aimed to identify the psychiatric co morbidity among the patients diagnosed with alcoholic dependence syndrome.(ADS) Methods: A descriptive design with quantitative method was conducted to assess the level of depression, anxiety and stress among ADS patients in a selected hospital at Puducherry. The study was restricted to the sample size of about 100 samples, which were selected by purposive sampling technique. The investigator used the semi-structured proforma to record the sociodemographic variables and the factors acessing the alcohol abuse. The study excludes the samples who were already diagnosed and taking medication for other psychiatry disorders. The short version of Depression anxiety stress scale (DASS 21), was used to assess level of depression anxiety and stress among ADS. Data analysis was done using SPSS v 16.0 software. Results: In the assessment of depression level, majority 36% of samples are experiencing severe depression , in the assessment of anxiety level 36% of samples is having severe anxiety, and in the assessment of stress level, majority 38% of samples had severe stress .Privacy and the confidentiality of the information provided are strictly maintained throughout the research process. Conclusion: The study results concludes that person with alcoholic use are experiencing   extremely severe level of stress ,anxiety and depressive symptoms accordingly, and hence preventive measures should be planned and implemented for the vulnerable population to prevent the co morbidity.