Objective: The co-morbidity of alcohol problems and depression is common, and it has been well established that people experiencing these conditions concurrently have poorer treatment outcomes than those experienced by people with single disorders. Despite this, effective evidenced-based treatments have yet to be developed and evaluated for this comorbidity. The DAISI study was one of the first to explore interventions which acknowledge the co-morbidity and actively work to improve both conditions. The aim was to investigate whether an intervention that integrates treatment for depression and alcohol was more efficacious than treatments that focus on alcohol alone or depression alone in reducing alcohol use and symptoms of depression.

Methods: 284 people who reported a recent history of hazardous alcohol use and depression were recruited. Participants were randomly allocated to one of four treatment conditions which combine CBT and motivational interviewing strategies. The first three conditions offered 10 sessions which focused on a) depression (n=71); b) alcohol use (n=68); or c) integrated depression and alcohol focus (n=75). The remaining group received a single case formulation and assessment feedback session (n=70). Assessments took place at baseline, session 1, session 5, session 10 and 15 weeks.

Results: There was significant improvement in depression and a reduction in alcohol use between assessment points regardless of treatment group. Additionally, a non-significant trend was evident such that those receiving the integrated treatment demonstrated a greater reduction in depression scores than those in either of the single focused treatments.

Conclusions: These findings demonstrate the utility of motivational interviewing/CBT interventions for reducing alcohol use and depressive symptomatology. At an early stage in the follow-up of these participants, the integrated treatment shows promise in reducing alcohol use and the symptoms of depression. Ongoing follow-up will elucidate these issues.