title: Developing therapies for depression in drug dependence: results of a stage 1 therapy study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This Stage 1b controlled trial sought a preliminary test of the relative efficacy of Behavioral Therapy for Depression in Drug Dependence (BTDD) against a structured relaxation intervention (REL) for treating DSM-IV depressive disorders and substance abuse.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-eight methadone maintained opiate dependent participants, who met criteria for a DSM-IV depressive disorder, were randomized to one of two, 24-week treatment conditions (BTDD or REL).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Depression response, defined as at least a 50% reduction in Hamilton Depression Scale score from baseline to the end of study, was high and similar in both BTDD (61%) and REL (65%). Rates of drug use were low overall, both at baseline and at the end of study, and did not differ between treatment groups at study endpoint.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings suggest that both behavioral- and relaxation-based approaches show promise for treating comorbid depression in drug dependent populations. Future work should examine combining or modifying these interventions to target substance use more directly and include values based methods for increasing more adaptive behavioral patterns.
authors.affiliation: New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, USA. carpent@pi.cpmc.columbia.edu
authors.forename: Kenneth M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Carpenter
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Efrat
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Aharonovich
authors.forename: Edward V
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Nunes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012064:Relaxation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D008691:Methadone