Synopsis
A recent study from the University of Chicago Medicine reveals that individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and depression experience similar levels of pleasure while drinking as those without depression, challenging long-held beliefs about self-medication and alcohol addiction.Key Takeaways
- People with AUD and depression report high pleasure from alcohol.
- Study challenges the notion that alcohol consumption decreases joy due to addiction.
- Research suggests a focus on alcohol's pleasurable effects in treatment.
- Alcohol consumption alleviates negative emotions, but minimally.
- Findings question existing theories on alcohol addiction.
New York, Feb 2 (NationPress) Individuals suffering from alcohol use disorder (AUD) and depression experience elevated levels of stimulation and enjoyment when drinking, akin to those without depressive symptoms, as shown by a recent investigation.
The research, conducted by the University of Chicago Medicine in the US, challenges the traditional belief that the enjoyment derived from alcohol diminishes with addiction, asserting that drinking to excess is primarily a means to alleviate negative emotions through self-medication.
According to Andrea King, PhD, a Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, 'We have this folklore that people drink excessively when they're feeling depressed and that it's really about self-medicating.'
This study utilized real-time smartphone reports on drinking habits and effects of alcohol in natural settings. Participants with both AUD and a depressive disorder reported experiencing strong, sustained positive effects from alcohol, mirroring their non-depressed peers.
Published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, this study questions established beliefs regarding the effects of alcohol on those with depression who drink heavily, suggesting that treatment could benefit from a focus on the pleasurable aspects of alcohol, rather than primarily on stress-related responses.
The impact of alcohol on the brain is intricate, and gaining a better understanding of the elements that influence an individual's susceptibility to AUD and depression is essential for early and effective intervention.
The research tracked 232 participants across the U.S., aged 21 to 35, which is typically when significant heavy drinking occurs.
Half of the participants met the criteria for AUD within the past year, equally divided between those with and without a major depressive disorder. Individuals with suicidal thoughts were excluded for safety, as were those experiencing severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
The researchers noted that alcohol consumption alleviated negative feelings, although this effect was minor and not specific to their depression or AUD status.
The positive impacts of alcohol were notably greater in individuals with AUD compared to those without, and contrary to common belief, were similar in both those with AUD and depression and those without.
This evidence challenges the prevailing theory that alcohol addiction is a result of the brain's efforts to achieve homeostasis following continuous heavy drinking.
