Caregiver burden in alcohol dependence syndrome in relation to the severity of dependence

Background: Alcohol dependence is a maladaptive pattern of substance use for a period of 12 months, which is characterized by tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, loss of control, and craving. Burden is defined as the presence of problems, difficulties, or adverse events which affect the life (lives) of the psychiatric patient's significant others. Objective burden is used to identify anything that occurs as a disrupting factor in family life owing to the patient's illness while subjective burden refers to the feeling that a burden is being carried in a subjective sense. Aims: To compare the amount of burden among the caregivers with the severity of alcohol dependence in patients. Methodology: Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire is used to determine the severity of their condition in alcohol-dependent patients. Caregivers were administered Family Burden Interview Schedule to assess the burden experienced by them. The diagnosis of alcohol dependence syndrome is made in accordance to the ICD-10 criteria. Results: Severe burden is more seen in females, unemployed, in families where domestic violence is present. Conclusions: More severe is the dependence, more is the amount of burden experienced by the caregivers.