Differences in help seeking rates after brief intervention for alcohol use disorders in general practice patients with and without comorbid anxiety or depressive disorders

Aims: To examine, if the utilization of help for problematic drinking after brief intervention (BI) differs between general practice (GP) patients with and without comorbid depression or anxiety disorders. Methods: Longitudinal data of 374 GP patients, who met the diagnostic criteria of alcohol dependence or abuse according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV) and criteria of at-risk drinking or binge drinking, were drawn from a randomized controlled BI study. Participants were randomly allocated to either a control or one of two intervention groups, receiving a series of alcohol related BI. Of the sample, 88 participants were diagnosed with comorbid anxiety and/or depressive disorders. At 12-months follow-up, differences in utilization of formal help for drinking problems were assessed between comorbid and non-comorbid individuals. Results: BI were significantly reLated to an increase in utilization of formal help in non-comorbid patients (χ² = 4.54; df = 1; p < 0.05) but not in comorbid individuals (χ² = 0.40; df = 1; p = 0.60). In a logistic regression analysis, comorbidity [odds ratio (OR) = 1.81; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.14-2.88; p = 0.01) and previous help seeking (OR = 15.98; CI = 6.10-41.85; p < 0.001) were found to be positive predictors for utilization of formal help. Conclusion: BIs do not seem to significantly support help-seeking in the comorbid. As comorbid anxiety and depression constitute a positive predictor for help-seeking, individuals with problematic drinking and comorbid anxiety or depressive disorders might benefit from more specialized support exceeding the low level of BI.