Alcohol-induced Depressive Disorder

Alcohol-induced depressive disorder involves the development of depressive symptoms temporally linked to alcohol consumption. Pathophysiology includes ethanol-mediated neurotoxicity, altered monoaminergic neurotransmission, and HPA axis dysregulation. Clinically, patients exhibit low mood, anhedonia, sleep disturbance, fatigue, and impaired psychosocial functioning. Diagnosis is established through temporal association with alcohol use, symptom resolution with abstinence, and exclusion of primary mood disorders. Management emphasizes alcohol cessation, psychosocial support, and pharmacologic therapy as indicated. Prognosis is generally favorable if the underlying alcohol use is effectively addressed, with depressive symptoms often resolving after sustained abstinence.