December 13, 2007

Male Admissions With Co-occurring Psychiatric & Substance Abuse Disorders

This report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration found that approximately 16% of men receiving treatment for substance abuse disorders also have psychiatric disorders. Males with co-occurring disorders were also found to be more likely than those without to have started using drugs and alcohol before the age of 13 and were more likely to be unemployed.

Among male admissions reporting alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, or stimulants as the primary substance of abuse, those with co-occurring disorders were more likely than those without co-occurring disorders to report daily use of these substances

Sixty-two percent of male admissions with co-occurring disorders reported more than one substance of abuse compared with 52% of male admissions without co-occurring disorders

Male admissions with co-occurring disorders were more likely than those without co-occurring disorders to report five or more prior substance abuse treatment episodes (17% vs. 10%)