Nicotine, alcohol and drug dependence and psychiatric comorbidity - Results of a national household survey

Citation
M. Farrell et al., Nicotine, alcohol and drug dependence and psychiatric comorbidity - Results of a national household survey, BR J PSYCHI, 179, 2001, pp. 432-437
Citations number
25
Categorie Soggetti
Psychiatry,"Clinical Psycology & Psychiatry","Neurosciences & Behavoir
Journal title
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
ISSN journal
00071250 → ACNP
Volume
179
Year of publication
2001
Pages
432 - 437
Database
ISI
SICI code
0007-1250(200111)179:<432:NAADDA>2.0.ZU;2-1
Abstract
Background There is a well-recognised relationship between substance use di sorders and other psychiatric disorders. This relationship has been well do cumented in a range of population-based studies. Aims This study aims to report on consumption patterns of and dependence on nicotine, alcohol and non-prescribed drugs and to report on the levels of psychiatric morbidity in these groups. Method A national household study of psychiatric morbidity was conducted in England and Wales. Psychiatric assessment was based on the Clinical Interv iew Schedule - Revised (CIS-R). Measures of nicotine, alcohol and drug use and dependence were obtained. This paper compares the levels of psychiatric morbidity in the non-dependent and the nicotine-, alcohol- and drug-depend ent cases. Results Twelve percent of the nondependent population were assessed as havi ng any psychiatric disorder compared with 22% of the nicotine-dependent, 30 % of the alcohol-dependent and 45% of the drug-dependent population. Conclusions There is a clear relationship between dependence on nicotine, a lcohol and drugs and other psychiatric morbidity, Declaration of interest None. Funding detailed in Acknowledgements.