Low Basal Levels of Cortisol Distinguish Detoxified Alcoholics With Major Depressive Disorder from non‐MDDs

Basal plasma levels of cortisol and its suppression by dexamethasone were measured in 60 inpatient alcoholics 12–13 days after detoxification. Both hypothalamic‐pituitary adrenal system parameters were essentially within normal limits in most patients–those who did not meet criteria for major depressive disorder (n=43) as well as those who met criteria for MDD per their episode (11–17). Basal levels of cortisol below 7 μg/dl distinguished alcoholics without MDD from those who met criteria for MDD per current episodes.