Substance use disorders comorbid with mood and anxiety disorders in the Australian general population. (21st June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Prior, Katrina; Mills, Katherine; Ross, Joanne; Teesson, Maree
• Is Part Of: Drug and alcohol review. Volume 36:Number 3(2017)
• Page Start: 317
• Page End: 324
• Publication Date: 2016-06-21
• Subjects: comorbidity -- substance use disorder -- mood disorder -- anxiety disorder -- prevalence; Substance abuse -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; Drinking of alcoholic beverages -- Periodicals; 616.86
• DOI: 10.1111/dar.12419
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-5236

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction and Aims: Substance use disorders (SUDs) are common and frequently co‐occur with mood and anxiety disorders. This paper provides a detailed analysis of patterns, prevalence and correlates of mood and anxiety disorders among those with a (i) pure SUD; (ii) SUD plus a mood or anxiety disorder (SUDs + 1); and (iii) SUD plus a mood and anxiety disorder (SUDs + 2). Design and Methods: Data came from the 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing; a nationally representative household survey of 8841 Australians aged 16–85 years. Results: The 12‐month prevalence of SUDs was 5.1%. Of those with a 12‐month SUD, 65% met the criteria for pure SUDs, 19% for SUDs + 1 and 16% for SUDs + 2. Major depression was the most common mood disorder in both comorbid groups. One‐third of SUDs + 1 experienced social phobia, while over half of SUDs + 2 experienced generalised anxiety disorder. Compared with pure SUDs, SUDs + 1 experienced two times more and SUDs + 2 experienced over four times more days out of role in the preceding 30 days. Both comorbid groups were more likely to experience severe levels of impairment. SUDs + 2 were over 18 times more likely to experience suicidal thoughts in the same year. SUDs + 1 were over three times and SUDs + 2 were over 10 times more likely to have had one or more consultations with a health professional in the previous year. Discussions and Conclusions: These findings highlight the complexities inherent with responding to and treating multiple comorbidities among substance users and emphasise the need for coordinated, cohesive responses from drug and alcohol treatment services.[Prior K, Mills K, Ross J, Teesson M. Substance use disorders comorbid with mood and anxiety disorders in the Australian general population. Drug Alcohol Rev 2017;36:317–324]