Dysthymia among Substance Abusers: An Exploratory Study of Individual and Mental Health Factors

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the individual characteristics and mental health factors of dysthymic and nondysthymic substance abusers. Out of a total of 1,209 medical records reviewed to select cases of dysthymic and nondysthymic substance abusers attending a community drug treatment program, 183 medical records were selected, 48% of which were dysthymic substance abusers. Bivariate analyses indicated that dysthymic substance abusers were more likely to be male, older individuals, reported high levels of alcohol dependence, lower quality of life, and higher number of previous substance abuse treatment. Results from hierarchical multiple logistic regression analyses indicated that age, gender, and quality of life were significant predictor for having dysthymia. Implications for the mental health field are discussed, underlining the importance of developing and providing competent treatment for substance abusers with co-occurring disorders.

Comorbidity among dysthymia, substance use, and other mental health disorders: characteristics of flight attendants in residential substance abuse treatment in the United States

“…This is not consistent with existing evidence suggesting that the comorbidity of mood disorder and substance abuse is associated to continued drug use and drug relapse (Stein, Solomon, Herman, Anderson & Miller, 2003;Strowig, 2000), whereby dysthymic respondents tended to report higher number of previous substance abuse treatments compared to non-dysthymics (Diaz et al, 2008). However, it is important to note that most of the participants in this study were employed professionals, able to perform their responsibilities at an adequate level interacting with colleagues and the public, and thus perhaps functioning at a higher level that the respondents in these earlier studies.…”

“…Results indicated that over half of the sample (n ¼ 39) reported clinically significant MCMI-III scores on the dysthymia scale. This is consistent with previous research indicating a high prevalence of dysthymia among residential substance abusers (Diaz et al, 2008). In addition, findings indicated elevated comorbidity between dysthymia and multiple Axes I and II disorders.…”

“…(1) that more than one in five flight attendants reported heavy drinking after 9/11 (Corey et al, 2005); (2) that individuals with a substance use disorder are more likely to have a co-occurring mood disorder than those without (Grant et al, 2004); and (3) that higher levels of alcohol dependence are found among dysthymic substance abusers Mental Health and Substance Use: dual diagnosis 219 compared to non-dysthymic (Diaz et al, 2008). Furthermore, previous research indicated that the effect of alcohol or drug intoxication on the affective state of an individual is greater among individuals with a depressive disorder compared to nondepressed individuals (Mayfield & Allen, 1967).…”

“…Diaz et al are more likely to indicate mood disorders than males, particularly dysthymia (Compton et al, 2000). However, another study found that dysthymia was more common in male than in female substance abusers in residential treatment (Diaz et al, 2008). These inconsistencies highlight the complexity of mood disorders when both genders are considered.…”

“…Although dysthymia usually involves milder symptomatology compared with major depressive disorder, individuals with dysthymia experience greater cumulative symptoms, have more suicide attempts, hospitalizations, and social impairment than individuals with episodic major depression (Klein et al, 2000;Klein, Shankman, & Rose, 2006). Moreover, findings from a recent study regarding mental health factors among substance abusers in residential treatment indicated that alcohol dependence, quality of life, and number of previous substance abuse treatment were associated with dysthymia (Diaz, Horton, McIlveen, Weiner & Nelson, 2008).…”