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
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.