Alcohol dependence is four times more likely to occur among adults with mental illness than among adults with no mental illness (9.6-percent versus 2.2-percent), a survey shows. [http://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/advisories/1106021725.aspx]

The rate of alcohol dependency increases as the severity of the mental illness increases, according to the nationwide survey conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). For example, while 7.9 percent of those with mild mental illness were alcohol dependent, 10 percent of those with moderate mental illness and 13.2-percent of those with serious mental illness were alcohol dependent.

“Mental and substance use disorders often go hand in hand,” said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde, J.D. “Co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorders are to be expected not considered the exception. 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 full report is available at http://oas.samhsa.gov/spotlight/Spotlight027AlcoholDependence.pdf .