title: Gender differences in substance use, consequences, motivation to change, and treatment seeking in people with serious mental illness.
abstract: Gender differences in patterns and consequences of substance use, treatment-seeking, and motivation to change were examined in two samples of people with serious mental illness (SMI) and comorbid substance use disorders (SUDs): a community sample not currently seeking substance abuse treatment (N = 175) and a treatment-seeking sample (N = 137). In both groups, women and men demonstrated more similarities in the pattern and severity of their substance use than differences. However, treatment-seeking women showed greater readiness to change their substance use. Mental health problems and traumatic experiences may prompt people with SMI and SUD to enter substance abuse treatment, regardless of gender.
authors.affiliation: VISN 5 Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA. amy.drapalski@va.gov
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Drapalski
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bellack
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D057237:Criminals / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry) / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007603:Jurisprudence; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*