Do specific anxiety disorders show specific drug problems?
OBJECTIVE
Comorbidity between anxiety and substance use disorders was examined. The hypothesis was tested that social phobics may report greater problem alcohol use (if alcohol is used to manage social anxiety) while problem use of sedative-hypnotics may be greater in people with panic (who may be over-prescribed anxiolytics because they repeatedly seek medical assistance).


METHODS
Self-reported lifetime rates of drug and alcohol problems were assessed with the computerised Diagnostic Interview Schedule-Revised. Subjects were 146 consecutive patients treated for panic disorder (with and without agoraphobia) and social phobia at the Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety Disorders.


RESULTS
High prevalences of alcohol problems (three times that expected) and problem use of sedative hypnotics (eight times that expected) were found in all diagnoses. Social phobics exhibited comparatively high rates of problem alcohol use, but no diagnostic specific differences in problem sedative-hypnotic use were found.


CONCLUSIONS
Routine screening for drug and alcohol problems is necessary for patients with anxiety disorders.
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Department of Psychology, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Australia.
Andrews
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D000328:Adult; D000379:Agoraphobia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D014904:Western Australia / Q000453:epidemiology
D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs