Chronic illness histories of adults entering treatment for co-occurring substance abuse and other mental health disorders.
Little is known about the medical status of individuals entering treatment for co-occurring substance abuse and other mental disorders (COD). We analyzed the medical histories of 169 adults entering outpatient treatment for CODs, estimating lifetime prevalence of chronic illness and current smoking, comparing these rates to the general population, and examining psychiatric and substance-related correlates of chronic illness. Results revealed significantly higher prevalence of hypertension, asthma, arthritis, and smoking compared to the general US population, and showed an association between chronic illness and psychiatric symptom distress and substance use severity. Findings support integration of chronic illness management into COD treatment.
Department of Psychiatry, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
Nicholas J
NJ
Chesher
Chad A
CA
Bousman
Maiken
M
Gale
Sonya B
SB
Norman
Elizabeth W
EW
Twamley
Robert K
RK
Heaton
Ian P
IP
Everall
Patricia A
PA
Judd
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D019468:Disease Management; D005260:Female; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology