Vol. 1, Issue 4, Part G (2015)

Abstract

Background and Objective: Alcohol addiction remains a significant public health issue, frequently associated with various psychiatric comorbidities. These co-occurring psychiatric disorders can influence the severity, treatment response, and prognosis of alcohol dependence. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and pattern of psychiatric illnesses among patients diagnosed with alcohol addiction at a tertiary health care centre.

Material and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted at the department of Psychiatry, Sree Lakshmi Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences, Osudu Agaram Village Villianur Commune, Kudapakkam, Villianur, Puducherry, India from February 2014 to January 2015. A total of 60 patients diagnosed with alcohol dependence syndrome based on ICD-10 criteria were included. Comprehensive psychiatric assessments were performed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). Data on socio-demographics, age of onset, duration of alcohol use, and comorbid psychiatric conditions were recorded and analyzed using SPSS version 25.

Results: Among the 60 alcohol-dependent patients, 66.7% (n=40) were found to have at least one comorbid psychiatric illness. The most prevalent disorders were major depressive disorder (30%), followed by generalized anxiety disorder (15%), psychotic disorders (8.3%), bipolar affective disorder (5%), and antisocial personality disorder (3.3%). The majority of patients (85%) were male, with the most affected age group being 31-45 years. A statistically significant association was observed between early initiation of alcohol use (before age 25) and higher psychiatric morbidity (p<0.05).

Conclusion: A substantial proportion of alcohol-dependent individuals suffer from co-existing psychiatric disorders, particularly depressive and anxiety-related illnesses. These findings highlight the need for integrated psychiatric evaluation and treatment in alcohol rehabilitation programs. Early detection and dual diagnosis management may enhance recovery outcomes and reduce relapse rates in this population.