| According to the World Health Organization, major | | | | disorder. Concerning the impact of substance use on |
| Depression is the leading cause of disability in the | | | | physical illness, Dr. Sobell cited data from a study of |
| world. The only FDA approved long term treatment | | | | Medicaid beneficiaries (n = 26,332)[11] indicating that |
| option for major depression is vagus nerve stimulation. | | | | those with comorbid psychiatric and substance use |
| It is the most common and widespread of all | | | | disorders had the highest prevalence of 6 of 8 chronic |
| psychiatric disorders, and it takes a significant toll on | | | | medical conditions (eg, asthma, heart disease). |
| individuals, families, and society. Depression also | | | | Next, Kate B. Carey, PhD, of Syracuse University, |
| negatively affects the economy through diminished | | | | discussed assessing and treating individuals with |
| productivity and use of healthcare resources. | | | | comorbid substance abuse and mental illness. She |
| At the 2005 American Psychological Association | | | | observed that these individuals have specific health |
| Annual Meeting, the subject of the co-morbidity of | | | | concerns that often occur at higher rates than in |
| substance abuse and mental illness was discussed. In | | | | others with psychiatric disorders. Patients with dual |
| a symposium focusing on the wide-ranging impact of | | | | diagnoses often do not comply with medication |
| substance abuse on health, Mark B. Sobell, PhD, of | | | | regimens and suffer symptom exacerbation, |
| Nova Southeastern University,[10] discussed the high | | | | psychiatric hospitalization, social isolation, and |
| comorbidity and impact of substance use. With regard | | | | interpersonal impairment. These are all classic |
| to psychiatric illness, he quoted data from analyses of | | | | symptoms of major depression. |
| the National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and | | | | If you suffer from major depression and have not had |
| Related Conditions (n = 43,093) that showed that | | | | an adequate response to at least four different |
| among persons with alcohol disorders, 40.69% | | | | antidepressants, you should consider the only FDA |
| experienced at least 1 mood disorder, 33.38% | | | | approved long term treatment for chronic or recurrent |
| experienced at least 1 anxiety disorder, and 33.05% | | | | depression: vagus nerve stimulation. This should be |
| experienced at least 1 drug disorder. Among those | | | | seriously discussed with your psychiatrist. A |
| with drug disorders, 60.31% experienced at least 1 | | | | prescription for the procedure is required for the |
| mood disorder, 42.63% experienced at least 1 anxiety | | | | ninety-minute out patient procedure. |
| disorder, and 55.16% experienced at least 1 alcohol | | | | |