Mental disorders common in people with alcohol and drug problems

January 01, 0001

Mental disorders common in people with alcohol and drug problems

The aim of this study was to identify the type and proportion of depressive and related mental health disorders in a group of individuals seeking outpatient treatment at an alcohol and other drug (AOD) service. It consisted of a cross-sectional study using diagnostic interviews with 95 participants (56 men, 39 women) seeking treatment from an AOD service.

This was a complex group with addiction, mental health and physical health conditions; 76% had a depressive disorder and 71% had an anxiety disorder. Most were diagnosed with at least two mental health disorders and 25% were diagnosed with four or more different disorders. Alcohol and cannabis use were the most commonly diagnosed AOD disorders. Further, those diagnosed with a drug use disorder reported significantly higher levels of depression compared with those with an alcohol-only disorder. Finally, 60% of the sample reported chronic health conditions, with over one-third taking medication for a physical condition on a regular basis.

The researchers concluded: "Primary care providers such as general practitioners are likely to be increasingly called on to assess, treat and/or coordinate care of patients with AOD disorders. We show that this group will likely present to their GP with more than one mental health disorder in addition to acute and chronic physical health conditions."

As if we didn’t know.


For the full abstract, click here.

MJA 195 (3):S60- S63, 1 August 2011 © The Medical Journal of Australia 2011
Identifying depression and anxiety disorders in people presenting for substance use treatment. Petra K Staiger, Anna C Thomas, Lina A Ricciardelli and Marita P McCabe. Correspondence to Petra Staiger: [email protected]

Category: P. Psychological, Z. Social Problems. Keywords: identifying, depression, anxiety, disorders, substance use, treatments, cross-sectional study , journal watch.
Synopsis edited by , Melbourne, Australia. Posted on Global Family Doctor 26 August 2011

Pearls are an independent product of the Cochrane primary care group and are meant for educational use and not to guide clinical care.

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