The Epidemiology of Co-Occurring Substance Use and Mental Disorders

(Beginning Level)

Developed by: The Co-Occurring Center for Excellence (COCE), which is funded through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

1 Credit CE Course - Free

This paper is presented in 2 parts. Part 1 is intended for non-scientists and explains what epidemiology is and how practitioners, administrators, and policymakers can use it. Part 1 also presents some highlights for past epidemiologic studies of co-occurring disorders (COD) and introduces 3 major national studies that are regularly used as sources of information on the nature and extent of COD problems in the U.S. Part 2 presents some detailed technical information on these 3 studies.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES:

1. Understand what epidemiology is and how it can be used by practitioners.
2. Review detailed technical information from three major national studies on the nature and extent of COD.
3. Learn the key definitions of terms used in this paper.
4. Understand why substance abuse and mental health treatment providers should concern themselves with epidemiologic data.
5. Learn the major goals of the three national epidemiologic studies.
6. Lean the COD findings of these studies.

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