Substance Abuse and Mental Disorders
In a recent report, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) addressed the relationship between substance abuse and other mental disorders.
It is well-known that individuals with mental illnesses have a high prevalence of drug abuse and vice versa. For example, studies show that people diagnosed with mood or anxiety disorders are about twice as likely to also suffer from a substance abuse disorder. "
We do not know enough yet to predict precisely whether one disorder will lead to the other(s) or how to prevent comorbidity," said NIDA Director Nora D. Volkow, M.D. "We do know, however, that the high rate of comorbidity means that we need a comprehensive approach to intervention that identifies, evaluates, and treats each disorder concurrently."
The report, titled "Comorbidity: Addiction and Other Mental Illnesses," describes common risk factors for dual disorders, including:
- Genetics and gender
- Brain chemistry
- Developmental factors
Treating dual diagnosis can be challenging, as can addressing co-occurring disorders in military personnel. NIDA and other organizations are working to better understand the complexities of dual disorders and to design protocols for substance abuse prevention and treatment in the military.
