Comorbidité des troubles anxieux avec l’alcoolisme

Abstract: Alcohol dependence entrains psychological, physiological and toxic factors. Anxiety, depression and other emotional disorders may be a cause or a consequence of alcohol dependence. Although alcohol is known to have anxiolytic and anti-phobic properties, alcoholic patients have a higher prevalence of developing anxiety disorders. A prevalence of panic disorders is higher in an alcoholic population and similarly alcohol dependence is higher in a population suffering from panic disorders. The association of alcohol dependence with depression in panic disorders increases suicidal risks and ideation. The prevalence of alcohol dependence is also higher in phobias and OCD. Alcohol dependence and anxiety disorders seem to be genetically associated: Anxiety disorders are greater in first degree family members of alcoholic patients. Alcohol dependence can be a cause or a consequence of anxiety disorders; simple, social phobias and agoraphobias usually precede alcoholism, while GAD occurs simultaneously with it. Depending on dose intake alcohol can reduce or increase anxiety by causing a dysfunction of the neurotransmission of GABA, glutamate and noradrenalin receptors. Alcohol intake can have euphoric or depressive effects, depending on dose intake, psychological characteristics and patients’ expectations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]