The Prevalence of Psychiatric Disorders in Patients With Alcohol and Other Drug Problems

TLDR

A cross‑sectional survey of 501 patients at an addiction treatment facility used the NIMH Diagnostic Interview Schedule and DSM‑III criteria to assess lifetime and current psychiatric disorders. Seventy‑eight percent of participants had a lifetime psychiatric disorder and 65% had a current disorder, with antisocial personality disorder, phobias, psychosexual dysfunctions, major depression, and dysthymia most common; those abusing both alcohol and other drugs were most impaired, and barbiturate/sedative/hypnotic, amphetamine, and alcohol abusers were most likely to have a current disorder.

Abstract

• A survey evaluated the lifetime and current prevalence of mental disorders in 501 patients seeking assistance with alcohol and other drug problems at an addiction research and treatment facility. Information was gathered using the National Institute of Mental Health Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS) and computer diagnoses were generated according to<i>DSM-III</i>criteria. Four fifths (78%) of the sample had a DIS lifetime psychiatric disorder in addition to substance use, and two thirds (65%) had a current DIS mental disorder. Excluding the unreliably diagnosed generalized anxiety disorder, the most common lifetime disorders were antisocial personality disorder, phobias, psychosexual dysfunctions, major depression, and dysthymia. Patients who abused both alcohol and other drugs were the most psychiatrically impaired. Patients with DIS psychiatric disorders had more severe alcohol and other drug problems. Barbiturate/sedative/hypnotic, amphetamine, and alcohol abusers were the most likely to have a DIS mental disorder.