Correlates of depressive symptoms among alcohol-using methadone maintained adults.

Background: Alcohol-using clients are considered at great risk for hepatitis and ongoing liver damage. This study explores the correlates of depression among a sample of methadone maintained treatment (MMT) adults in the Los Angeles area, and is part of a larger study on hepatitis health promotion among MMT clients who use alcohol.

Objectives: We sought to determine correlates of depressive symptoms among moderate and heavy alcohol-using adults enrolled in methadone maintenance.

Methods: A cross-sectional correlation study was conducted of baseline data from a randomized control trial of adults (N= 189) receiving MMT in Los Angeles. Depressive symptoms were measured with the 10-item short-form CES-D.

Results: Multiple regression analysis revealed that pain and social support were key correlates of depressive symptoms. More pain was associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms (p= .001), while more social support was related to lower depressive symptom severity (p= .001). Having been in sufficiently poor health that a blood transfusion, clotting factors, or an organ transplant was necessary was associated with greater depressive symptomatology, as was having injected drugs in the past month (p= .024).

Conclusions: The findings from this investigation can aid clinicians in selecting clients to monitor for early signs of depression and encourage early treatment for opioid users with comorbidities.

Scientific Significance: The use of an interdisciplinary team to care for MMT clients, routinely screen for depressive symptoms, and emphasize adequate pain control is indicated.