Source: NIDA News Release, 1/6/2009
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health, today released a research report,Comorbidity: Addiction and Other Mental Illnesses, summarizing the state of the science regarding the complex relationship between substance abuse and other mental disorders.
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Comorbidity: Addiction and Other Mental Illnesses describes common factors that can lead to comorbidity, including genetic and gender vulnerabilities, involvement of similar brain regions, and the influence of developmental factors; and discusses how comorbidity can be diagnosed and treated. Several examples of behavioral therapies tested in patients with comorbid conditions–as well as potential medications–are outlined in the research report.
The comorbidity research report also highlights some of the challenges of treating these conditions concurrently. Moreover, the unique needs of returning military personnel and their families may demand novel approaches. To address these concerns, NIDA is convening a meeting to gain a better understanding of the prevention and treatment needs regarding substance abuse and related disorders among military personnel and their families. This will include a discussion of current prevention and treatment approaches; as well as promising interventions that may be adapted for this population. The goal of the meeting is to formulate a research agenda for conducting substance abuse prevention and treatment in military populations.
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To learn more about addiction and other mental illnesses, or to receive the Comorbidity: Addiction and Other Mental Illnesses Research Report, free of charge (in English or Spanish), visit the NIDA website at www.drugabuse.govor contact DrugPubs, NIDA’s Research Dissemination Center, at 1-877-NIDA-NIH (1-877-643-2644) or 1-240-645-0228 (TDD). Order requests can also be emailed to: drugpubs@nida.nih.gov.
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