Clinical Correlates of Impulsivity, Depression, and Quality of Life in Alcohol and Opioid Dependence: A Comparative Study

Background: Alcohol is one of the most prevalent substances used in India, followed by opioids.Dependence on these substances not only affects physical health but also an individual's behavior, mood, and quality of life (QoL).Aim: To assess and compare impulsivity, depression, and QoL in patients with alcohol dependence syndrome (ADS) and opioid dependence syndrome (ODS).Materials and methods: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted in 52 patients with ADS and 48 patients with ODS, respectively.All participants were assessed using the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), and World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF).Severity of alcohol dependence was assessed using the Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire (SADQ), and that of opioids was assessed using the Severity of Opioid Dependence Questionnaire (SODQ).Results: Total BIS-11 score was significantly higher in patients with ADS (p < 0.001).Nearly 27% of ADS and 14% of ODS patients had depression.The WHOQOL psychological and social domain scores were significantly lower in ADS patients.There was a significant positive correlation between the total scores of impulsivity and HAM-D with scores of SADQ and SODQ.Duration of dependence, SODQ scores, and WHOQOL-BREF showed a significantly negative association among ODS patients. Conclusion:Motor and non-planning impulsivity is more prevalent in ADS patients.The severity of impulsivity is associated with the severity of dependence, duration of dependence, number of relapses, and early age of onset of alcohol use.The prevalence of depression is higher in ADS patients.Psychological and social functioning are poor in ADS.