The high prevalence of depressive symptoms is known among entries to treatment for opioid dependence. But distinction is difficult between opiate-related depressive symptoms (substance related) and symptoms of separate mood disorder, which can be part of double diagnosis. Beck Depression Inventory (EDI) was administered to patients with heroin dependence (n = 809) at the time of in take to treatment. Their average BDI score was 23 and using original cut-off 41 % of the results were in the range of severe depression. However, of those who were followed-up in further in-patient treatment program (n = 91), only 11% required pharmacotherapy with antidepressants. We have identified more than half of BDI items as been identical with subjective and objective symptoms of opiate withdrawal syndrome. So this discrepancy between high average of BDI score at the beginning of treatment, and relatively small proportion of number of diagnosis of depressive mood disorder is discussed and viewed as possible consequence of partial overlapping of two syndrome entities in their symptom expressions: syndrome of opiate withdrawal and depressive syndrome. More detailed analysis of findings is presented. Further research is needed in this direction.

Key words: dependence on opiates – depression – BDI – antidepressants