A Double-blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Desipramine for Primary Alcohol Dependence Stratified on the Presence or Absence of Major Depression

Abstract

Major depression secondary to alcohol dependence that is diagnosed after at least 1 week of abstinence can remain stable in some placebo-treated alcoholics and can respond to desipramine. Treating depression secondary to alcoholism may reduce risk for drinking relapse in some patients. Use of desipramine to reduce relapse in nondepressed alcoholics is not supported.