Results of this review and meta-analysis revealed that combined treatment for co-morbid depression and alcohol use disorders is associated with a large early improvement in depression, irrespective of whether the depression is independent of alcohol misuse. The mean level of depression improved considerably in the first 3-6 weeks of treatment, but plateaued by 3 months. The amount of improvement was consistent across study participants with high levels of depression at baseline. The study also reported a modest effect of antidepressant medication on depression in those with co-morbid alcohol use disorders. However, the strongest effect appeared to be for patients with depression that is independent of substance misuse. - www.nationalelfservice.net