Adults with mental disorders are four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence that among adults with no mental illness. A nationwide government survey also found that more severe the mental illness, the more likely alcoholism will develop.The survey revealed that 9.6 percent of adults with mental disorders also have alcohol dependence, compared to only 2.2 percent with no mental health issues.
The report, "Alcohol Dependence is More Likely among Adults with Mental Illness than Adults without Mental Illness," was conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Rates of Alcoholism in Mental Ill
Based on the 2009 National Survey of Drug Use and Health, the study found the following rates of alcohol dependence among adults who are mentally ill:
- 7.9% with mild mental illness.
- 10% with moderate mental illness.
- 13.2% with serious mental illness.
"Co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorders are to be expected not considered the exception," said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde in a news release. "Unfortunately, signs and symptoms of these behavioral health conditions are often missed by individuals, their friends and family members and unnoticed by health professionals. The results can be devastating and costly to our society."
The complete report is available online in PDF format.
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I have absolutely no scientific data to back my comment but the mentally ill people I knew in my life never drank or drugged, but I did. So I’m one of the statististics. Generally, mentally ill people are kinder and poorer than other normal people. More willing to help the less fornuate because they are less fornuate also.
I believe that my husband, a chronic alcoholic, is mentally ill. He was tested after a fall last June and found to be capable of making his own decisions. My belief is however, that he has exhibited for the past 10 years strange behavior that is not necessarily associated with the alcoholism. Now of course dementia is setting in making matters worse.
My schizophrenic son has suffered with dual disorders (alcoholism & mental illness) since being born fetal alcohol syndrome in 1978. We adopted him in 1981 & had no idea about the magnitude of his illness or how it would progress.
He has been out of prison & will complete 2 year parole in August & we are just praying he will stay off the alcohol & other substances.
Alcoholism is a mental illness.