Psychiatrists challenged to learn how substance abuse impacts mental illness

May 24th, 2007 | Category: Anxiety Disorders

Another afternoon session explored the question about addiction and co-occuring mental illnesses. “Diagnosis of a mental disorder must be recognized as a sign of increased risk for subsequent substance abuse. Nora Volkow spoke at a special three-day NIDA-sponsored research program track, “The Science of Addiction: Translating New Insights Into Better Psychiatric Practice.” Today’s program included a look at the interplay amoung genes and the environment; and closed with a discussion of the the challenges of addiction and co-occuring mental illnesses.

“As many as 6 in 10 folks who have an illicit drug use disorder additionally suffer from mental illnesses,” said Dr. At the American Psychiatric organization Annual Meeting, Dr. Volkow. Participants learned about the critical duration periods in the life course when the connection amidst mood and anxiety disorders are most strongly linked to drug problems, as well as the importance of early intervention. Fact sheets on the health effects of drugs of abuse and info on NIDA research and other activities can be found at the NIDA website. Leshner, Ph.D., CEO, American organization for the Advancement of Science and former NIDA Director who gave a lecture on “The Evolving Climate for Neuroscience and Society.”

Another focus at today’s NIDA program track was a look at the parallels amoung

obesity and addiction, two compulsive behaviors that science is showing have several unexpected commonalities.

The Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), today challenged psychiatrists to learn more about the importance of substance abuse as a factor in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses. “Research has shown us that addiction is a disease that can be successfully treated, but not whether the problems go undiagnosed,” said Dr.

Dr. Volkow. station of Health and Human Services. She urged psychiatrists to learn more about the link within substance abuse and mental illness. “By looking at what we now know about the neurobiological underpinnings of addiction, we are developing new, more effective addiction treatments.”

Participants additionally heard from Alan I. Similarly, diagnosis of a substance use disorder must be recognized as a sign of increased risk for mental disorder, even whether no mental disorder is evident at the day of diagnosis.”

The National Institute on Drug Abuse is a component of the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Volkow, an internationally known research psychiatrist, led a session entitled Substance Abuse in Your Patients: Beyond What is Taught in Your Residency.

Original post by Anxiety Insights

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