Higher rates of substance abuse seen among those with mental illness

People with severe mental illnesses are more likely to have difficulties with substance abuse, according to new research from the US.

A study funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has revealed that mentally ill people such as those with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, have a higher risk for substance use, especially cigarette smoking.

Moreover, protective factors usually associated with lower rates of substance use do not exist in severe mental illness, according to the study of more than 20,000 patients.

Compared to controls, people with severe mental illness were about four times more likely to be heavy alcohol users, 3.5 times more likely to use marijuana regularly and 4.6 times more likely to use other drugs at least ten times in their lives. They were also 5.1 times more likely to be daily smokers.

NIDA director Dr Nora Volkow said: "While we cannot always prove a connection or causality, we do know that certain mental disorders are risk factors for subsequent substance use disorders and vice versa."

This comes at a time when the British government is seeking to improve standards of mental healthcare, in order to ensure the treatment of mental and physical conditions are prioritised equally.