Abstract

Treatment for adolescent depression impacts on later-onset substance abuse, study says

Author(s): News & Views

A recently published study, following adolescents with depression, has indicated that treatment of depression during adolescence could reduce the chance of developing a substance-abuse disorder later in life. Markedly, the study, which was conducted by researchers at Duke University Medical Center (NC, USA), did not demonstrate that depression treatment had any impact on the later development of alcohol-use disorders, a finding that could not be directly explained by the authors, although the prevalence of alcohol use in the 17–23-year-old age bracket was raised as a potential key factor.