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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

H. Westley Clark, MD, JD, MPH, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 1 Choke Cherry Road, 5-1015, Rockville, MD 20850, 240.276.1660, westley.clark@samhsa.hhs.gov

[Part of session: “Co-occurring substance use and mental disorders: Epidemiology, policy, practice, and costs.” Charlene Le Fauve, organizer, charlene.lefauve@samhsa.hhs.gov, session abstract # 139244.] In the last two years, findings from three major surveys of co-occurring substance use and mental disorders have emerged in the literature. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) issued results from the 2004 National Survey of Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism conducted the National Epidemiologic Survey of Alcohol Related Conditions (NESARC). The National Co-Morbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R) was conducted with support by the National Institute of Mental Health, with supplemental support from the National Institute on Drug Abuse and SAMHSA. Similarities and differences between the surveys will be described, and their major findings high-lighted. At least 4.2 million Americans 18 and older have co-occurring disorders; almost half receive no treatment for either disorder and only 6% receive treatment for both. Some combinations of co-occurring disorders are associated with even lower rates of treatment-seeking. Policy and practice implications of survey findings will be discussed.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the presentation, participants will be able to

• State the prevalence of co-occurring disorders in the US population.
• Describe the surveys on which the epidemiological information is based.
• State 3 major implications of the findings for policy and clinical practice.

Keywords: Substance Abuse Treatment, Mental Health System

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation