Depression treatment can avoid drug abuse in young people

Depression treatment can avoid drug abuse in young people

By Margaret Rogers

A recent study suggests that adolescents with depression who receive successful treatment are far less likely to later abuse drugs compared to those whose treatment was not successful.

Researchers from the Duke University were led by John Curry, a professor of psychology and neuroscience, in this five-year study of nearly 200 youth from across the United States. They found that only 10% of 192 adolescents whose depression symptoms receded after a 12 week programme of treatment later went on to abuse drugs.  This compares to 25% of those whose treatment did not work, according to the researchers.

John Curry said ‘It turned out that whatever they responded to – cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), Prozac, both treatments, or a placebo – if they did respond within 12 weeks they were less likely to develop a drug-use disorder.’  However, the research found no such reduction of risk in relation to alcohol abuse.

The study participants were aged between 17 and 23 at the end of the five-year study and none had a pre-existing problem with drug or alcohol abuse.  They all had a prior diagnosis of major depression.  The participants must have had at least five symptoms for a length of time to be diagnosed with major depression prior to treatment.  The symptoms include:

  • Depressed mood
  • Loss of interest
  • Disruptions in appetite, sleep or energy
  • Poor concentration
  • Feelings of worthlessness
  • Suicidal thoughts or behaviour

The researchers suggest that improved mood regulation due to medication or skills learned in CBT, together with support and education that came with the treatments, may have played key roles in keeping the youth off drugs.  They were, however, surprised to find no differences in alcohol abuse and do not know why this should be.  Curry suggests that the prevalence of alcohol use among people aged between 17 and 23 may be a key factor for this.

He says ‘It does point out that alcohol use disorders are very prevalent during that particular age period and there’s a need for a lot of prevention and education for college students to avoid getting into heavy drinking and then the beginnings of an alcohol disorder.  I think that is definitely a take-home message.’

Alcohol abuse can often lead to bouts of depression.

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