The present study observed the clinical effect of escitalopram in the treatment of alcohol-dependent patients with depressive symptoms and its influence on social function recovery. It enrolled 80 alcohol-dependent patients with depressive symptoms and randomized them into two groups of 40 each. The observation group received escitalopram, while the control group received a placebo for two months. 

The study compared the scores of depression, social dysfunction screening scale, quality of life, and incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups.

After treatment for 1 and 2 months, the depression scores and social functional defects scores of the observation group were lower than the control group. The scores of physical health, mental health, physical life, social function, and total quality of life in the observation group were higher than in the control group. The incidence of adverse reactions was similar between the two groups.

Thus, escitalopram can effectively treat alcohol-dependent patients with depressive symptoms. It not only helps to improve depression but also promotes the recovery of the social function of the patients, with relatively high safety.

Haiping Y, Suilin J, Wei Z, Yalin C. Effect of escitalopram in the treatment of alcohol－dependent patients with depression. Chinese Journal of Primary Medicine and Pharmacy.2019;(12): 2220-2223.