Psychiatric disorders are common among patients with alcohol dependence. Symptoms of alcohol intoxication or withdrawal need to be disentangled from symptoms of psychiatric disorders. Alcohol dependence could induce psychiatric disorders, in particular depressive disorders and anxiety disorders. Patients with psychiatric disorders may self-medicate with alcohol use. There may be common factors promoting both alcohol dependence and psychiatric disorders: about 40% of patients with alcohol dependence present personality disorders. Alcohol dependence and psychiatric disorders worsen each other. Integrated approaches to treatment for patients presenting with co-occurring alcohol dependence and psychiatric disorders are recommended, including simultaneous treatments of alcohol dependence and treatments of psychiatric disorders.
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