Substance-use disorders are a group of cognitive, behavioural, and physiological symptoms indicating that the individual continues to use a substance despite problems related to the use of that substance.7 Substances can include alcohol, cannabis, hallucinogens, opioids, sedatives, and tobacco.7 Substance-use disorders are typified by craving for a substance, tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, and continued use of a substance despite negative consequences, amongst other criteria.7
Depressive disorder can be as a result of another medical condition, or as the result of substance or medication use.7 MDD, however, frequently co-occurs with substance-related disorders.7 A differential diagnosis is made based on whether a substance is aetiologically related to the mood disturbance.7
Depressive disorder can be as a result of substance or medication use: a differential diagnosis is made based on whether a substance is aetiologically related to the mood disturbance.7
References:
1.Rappeneau V, Bérod A. Reconsidering depression as a risk factor for substance use disorder: insights from rodent models. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2017; 77: 303–316.
2.Tolliver BK, Anton RF. Assessment and treatment of mood disorders in the context of substance abuse. Dialogues Clin Neurosci 2015; 17 (2): 181–190.
3.Kessler RC. The prevalence of psychiatric comorbidity. In: Wetzler S, Sanderson WC (eds). An Einstein Psychiatry Publication, No. 14. Treatment Strategies for Patients with Psychiatric Comorbidity. John Wiley & Sons Inc. 1997.
4.Garey L, Olofsson H, Garza T, et al. Directional effects of anxiety and depressive disorders with substance use: a review of recent prospective research. Curr Addict Rep 2020; 7: 344–355.
5.Hunt GE, Malhi GS, Lai HMX, Cleary M. Prevalence of comorbid substance use in major depressive disorder in community and clinical settings, 1990–2019: systematic review and meta-analysis. J Affect Disord 2020; 266: 288–304.
6.Davis LL, Frazier E, Husain MM. Substance use disorder comorbidity in major depressive disorder: a confirmatory analysis of the STAR*D cohort. Am J Addict 2006; 15 (4): 278–285.
7.American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Fifth Edition – text revision. © American Psychiatric Association, 2022.
