Facts About Co-Occurring Disorders

Comorbidity is more common and more complex than most people realize. People with co-occurrence may face unique challenges, compared to individuals who have a single disorder.

Who is Affected?

7.7 million adults have co-occurring mental and substance use disorders.
Of the 20.3 million adults with substance use disorders, 37.9% also had mental illnesses.
Among the 42.1 million adults with mental illness, 18.2% also had substance use disorders.

Who Gets Treatment?

There are many effective treatments for both mental and substance use disorders. A comprehensive treatment approach will address both disorders at the same time.

Not everyone with co-occurring conditions gets the treatment they need:

52.5% of those with co-occurring conditions received neither mental health care not substance use treatment.
34.5% of those with co-occurring conditions received mental health care only.
9.1% of those with co-occurring conditions received both mental health care and substance use treatment.
3.9% of those with co-occurring conditions received substance use treatment only.

Barriers to Mental Health Treatment

Among adults with co-occurring disorders who did not receive mental health care, their reasons for not receiving it were:

52.2% said they could not afford the cost.
23.8% said they did not know where to go for treatment.
23.0% said they could handle the problem without treatment.
13.6% said they feared being committed.
12.4% said it might cause their neighbors to have a negative opinion of them.
11.1% said they did not think treatment would help.
10.6% said they did not have the time.
10.1% said they were concerned about confidentiality.

Barriers to Addiction Treatment

Among adults with co-occurring disorders who did not receive substance use care, their reasons for not receiving it were:

38.4% said they were not ready to stop using.
35.1% said they had no health insurance and could not afford the cost.
13.1% said it might cause their neighbors to have a negative opinion of them.
13.0% said it might have a negative effect on their job.
11.5% said they did not know where to go for treatment.
9.9% said they had insurance, but it did not cover the treatment cost.
9.0% said no program had the treatment type.

Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse; National Institutes of Health; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Co-Occurring Disorders & Other Health Conditions

Learn more about comorbidity from the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration.

SAMHSA Website

National Principles of Care

Science-based practices which improve outcomes for individuals with a substance use disorder.

Learn More