Impact of alcohol and drug use on diagnosis and management of depression in gay men attending general practice

Abstract

This study explores the role of alcohol and drug use on the diagnosis and management of depression among gay men attending Australian general practice clinics. The study was conducted with the goal of assisting GPs to address alcohol, drug use and depression in gay men and to add to the knowledge of these issues in the general practice setting. Three research analyses were made from the study relating to patterns of alcohol- and other drug-use associated with depression, comparison of doctor and patient beliefs about drug use and depression, and the impact of alcohol and other drug use on the agreement between doctors’ assessments of major depression and patients’ scores in depression screening tools.