Are illicit drug users more likely to receive mental health treatment?. (4th March 2017) - Crum, Anthony B.
Abstract: Aims : The relationship between using illicit substances and seeking out mental health treatments has not been well studied. This study aimed to explore the relationship and identification of drug usage patterns related to the highest frequency of receiving mental health care. Methods : Data were obtained from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health from 2004 to 2013. Subjects were grouped according to their drug use. We examined whether there were differences between undergoing various mental health treatment and drug usage. Findings : A total of 322, 869 adults were included in the study. Using a combination of analgesics and cocaine had the highest utilisation of inpatient treatment (2.9%). Using hallucinogens and cocaine showed the highest utilisation of outpatient treatment (13.3%). Those who used marijuana, hallucinogens and cocaine were most likely prescribed medicine for treatment (13.9%). There was a significant difference between drug users and non-users in all forms of mental health treatment ( p < 0.05). Age, gender, marital status, education and race were all significant in the regression analyses ( p < 0.05). Conclusions : Drug use was significantly related to receiving mental health treatment and showed a significant difference when compared to non-users, but the impact of issues such as age, gender, marital status, education and race should also be considered.