Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #116426

Daniel E. Falk, PhD¹, Hsiao-ye Yi, PhD¹, and Rosalind Breslow, PhD². (1) Alcohol Epidemiologic Data System, NIH/NIAAA, CSR, Incorporated, 2107 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1000, Arlington, VA 22201, 703-741-7124, dfalk@csrincorporated.com, (2) Division of Epidemiology and Prevention Research, NIAAA/NIH, 5635 Fishers Lane, Bethesda, MD 20892-9304

INTRODUCTION: The comorbidity of specific psychiatric disorders and substance use has been well-documented in the literature. Less is known about multi-morbid psychiatric disorders (i.e. > 2 disorders per individual) and their association with substance use. METHODS: A total of 43,093 U.S. adults were surveyed in the NIAAA 2001–2002 NESARC. Ten past-year Axis I psychological disorders (non-substance-induced) and 7 Axis II personality disorders were assessed with the AUDADIS-IV. The national prevalence and odds ratios of past-year substance use disorders and hazardous drinking were calculated by the number of psychological or personality disorders per individual. RESULTS: Approximately 5.5% of the U.S. population has more than one psychological disorder. Positive, linear relationships were found between the number of psychological disorders and the occurrence of most substance use problems. For example, univariate logistic regression analyses revealed that, compared to individuals with only one psychological disorder, individuals with two psychological disorders were more likely to have alcohol dependence (odds ratio (OR)=1.7), any alcohol use disorder (OR=1.4), and any drug use disorder (OR=2.1) (all p's<.05). All OR's were substantially diminished in multivariate models that controlled for several sociodemographic variables and the number of personality disorders. Clear, positive trends only remained for alcohol dependence (OR=1.2) and any drug use disorder (OR=1.3) (all p's<.05). Similar results were found between the number of personality disorders and substance use problems. CONCLUSION: These results show that individuals with more complex psychiatric profiles have increased risk for certain substance use problems.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session the learner will be able to

• Describe the prevalence of psychological and personality disorder multi-morbidity in the United States.
• Understand the risk of substance use problems among individuals with multi-morbid psychological and personality disorders.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.