Reply to Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor We thank the authors for taking the time to read our article, for writing a critical appraisal, and for their kind words. The study under reference was planned to determine the degree of caregiver burden experienced by spouses of patients with alcohol dependence syndrome, the different coping techniques they have employed, and the relationship between their burden and quality of life. Therefore, the study was confined to this aim only.[1] We agree with the authors’ contention that structural elements that increase this burden, such as gender dynamics, institutional support gaps, and public stigma, are certainly important. However, the scope of the study was limited due to severe time constraints and lack of funding. As has been mentioned in the limitations of our study, the sample size was modest, as it was not possible to approach people during the COVID-19 period. A larger sample would have given better results. The sample, including both cases and controls, consisted of only wives (females) of alcohol-dependent males and healthy males, respectively, as in our tertiary care center, only male alcoholics and their female spouses were admitted. I may add here that in the past seven years that I have been working at this center only one woman was admitted with alcohol dependence. Her husband and son were also dependent. Opinions will differ on the scales and we respect the authors’ opinions. Suffice to say we used standard scales that are freely available. While a qualitative approach may be useful, it would have taken much more time, and as already mentioned the principal author was under severe time constraints. Lastly, we agree that there are notable gaps in the study that should be addressed in future research. Data availability statement Available on reasonable request. Author contribution Suprakash Chaudhury: concept and drafting. Pratishtha Singh, Archana Javadekar, Daniel Saldanha: Editing. Financial support and sponsorship Nil. Conflicts of interest There are no conflicts of interest.