Gender differences in the relationship between depressive symptoms and cravings in alcoholism

This study examines the clinical correlates of alcohol craving in men and women self-referred for addiction treatment. Admission clinical data from patients participating in the Mayo Clinic 1-month Intensive Addictions Program were evaluated. Women had higher BDI and PACS scores compared with men in both the entire cohort and Dual Diagnoses group. Alcohol-dependent females had the most marked correlation between BDI and PACS (ρ =.78). Further prospective study is encouraged to evaluate whether depressive symptoms and concomitant alcohol cravings in women are a marker for relief cravings and, as such, a target symptom for treatment intervention.