South Lake County 219.736.7200
North Lake County 219.392.6001
Toll Free 1.888.398.7050

Depression: Major Depression & Unipolar Varieties

Resources

Basic Information

Introduction and Types of DepressionRelated Disorders / ConditionsHistorical and Current UnderstandingsBiology, Psychology and SociologyTreatment - Medication and PsychotherapyAlternative Medicine and Self-Help ResourcesSpecial IssuesReferences

More InformationTestsLatest News

Somatic Depression Symptoms Show Heart Risk LinkSpouse's Deployment Status Tied to Depression RiskSertraline May Not Be Effective for Depression in Heart FailureFish, Fatty Acid Intake Tied to Lower Depression Risk in BoysMany With Depression Have Periods of HypomaniaBrain Research May Help Predict Anxiety, Depression in YoungDepression Linked to Slow Healing of Diabetic Foot UlcersAntiepileptics Don't Raise Risk of Suicide in Epilepsy PatientsPathological Internet Use Linked to Teen DepressionAddictive Internet Use Tied to Depression in TeensPeople Who Are Depressed 'See' a Gray WorldMood Disorders Going Undetected in U.S. ChildrenBrain Changes in MS May Spur DepressionDepression Linked to Higher Risk of Alzheimer's, DementiaType 2 Diabetes Diagnosis May Temporarily Up Depression RiskGeneric Effexor XR ApprovedPreventive Intervention for Premature Infants EffectiveDepression Can Make Pain WorseHealth Tip: Don't Suddenly Stop AntidepressantsPost-Combat Stress Disrupting Daily Lives of Returning VetsCertain Popular Antidepressants Linked to Cataracts in SeniorsRisk of Miscarriage Linked to AntidepressantsDepression Key Consideration in Acute Coronary SyndromeAllergies Might Trigger DepressionDrug Switch Tied to Depression Remission at Six MonthsBrain Injury Patients Plagued by Poor Sleep, DepressionDepression Common at End of Terminal CancerFor Depression, Phone Therapy May Be an AnswerMajor Depression Often Follows Brain InjuryPostpartum Depression Can Strike New DadsTreatment Found to Reduce Depression in PsoriasisDepression After Heart Attack Tied to Brain ChangesOlder Adults Have Lower Rates of Mood, Anxiety DisordersNo One Antidepressant Raises Suicide Risk More Than OthersMagnetic Stimulation Found Effective for DepressionAntidepressants in Pregnancy May Impact Child BehaviorDepression Linked to Increased Chocolate ConsumptionAntidepressants May Improve Heart HealthDepression and Smoking Go Hand in Hand in U.S.Health Tip: Coping With Postpartum DepressionKids' Suicide Risk Same for All AntidepressantsMedian Duration of Bipolar I Mood Episodes Is 13 WeeksBrain Glitch May Raise Some Girls' Odds of DepressionHelp for Depressed Latinos Often Hampered by StigmaAntidepressants Effective in Physically IllOutcomes of Depression Drug Treatment Affected by DiabetesCombination Treatment May Help Depressed AlcoholicsPassive Response to Social Stress Linked to DepressionClinical Trials Update: March 10, 2010Survey May Help Docs Diagnose Mood Disorders

Questions and AnswersLinksBook ReviewsSelf-Help Groups

Related Topics

Anxiety Disorders
Bipolar Disorder
Suicide
Addictions: Alcohol and Substance Abuse
Pain Management

Combination Treatment May Help Depressed Alcoholics

by -- Robert Preidt
Updated: Mar 15th 2010

new article illustration

MONDAY, March 15 (HealthDay News) -- Combined treatment with the antidepressant Zoloft (sertraline) and the alcoholism drug naltrexone improves the likelihood that people with both major depression and alcohol dependence will be able to stop drinking, U.S. researchers report.

Their 14-week study of 170 patients found that 54 percent of those who received the combined treatment were able to stop drinking, compared with 21 to 28 percent for patients who received a placebo, Zoloft only, or naltrexone only.

The patients who received the combined treatment also went for a longer period of time before they started drinking again -- 61 days compared with 15 days for patients in the other groups.

The findings may prove an important advance in the treatment of patients with alcohol dependence and depression, said the University of Pennsylvania researchers.

"When depression and alcohol dependence occur together, each condition has a negative influence on the outcome of the other, so not only does this pairing of illnesses affect a lot of patients, it also makes the individual disorders worse," study author Helen Pettinati said in a news release. "Combining sertraline and naltrexone could be a practical approach for these patients because both have (U.S. Food and Drug Adminstration) approval."

The study was published March 15 in the The American Journal of Psychiatry.

More information

The American Psychological Association has more about alcohol use disorders and treatment.

This article: Copyright © 2010 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Strawhun Center

8555 Taft Street
Merrillville, IN 46410-6199
219.769.4005
info@regionalmental
health.org

Stark Center

3903 Indianapolis Blvd.
East Chicago, IN 46312
219.398-7050
info@regionalmental
health.org

Child and Adolescent
Program

1409 E. 84th Place
Merrillville, IN 46410
219.794.2000

5900 Hohman Avenue
Hammond, IN 46410
219.391-0427

Outpatient Services:

290-A East 90th Drive
Merrillville, IN 46410
219.736.9115

2490 Central Avenue
Lake Station, IN 46405
219.962.4040

3903 Indianapolis Blvd.
East Chicago, IN 46312
219.392-6072

2600 Highway Avenue
Highland, IN 46323
219.972-0131