Clinical depression among narcotic addicts maintained on methadone in the community.

In a study of 106 predominantly young, lower-social-class men participating in a methadone maintenance program, the authors found that about one-third were moderately to severely depressed as assessed on standard rating scales of depression. The depressive symptoms were associated with a decrease in social functioning, increase in stress in the past 6 months, and a history of alcohol abuse. Because the combination of depression and drug addiction creates a high risk for suicide, depressive symptoms require early detection and treatment. The authors point to the need for more research on treatment approaches, particularly the use of psychotropic drugs.