Prevalence of co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorder and association with overdose: a linked data cohort study among residents of British Columbia, Canada

Original research
by
Keen, Claire et al

Release Date

2021

Geography

Canada

Language of Resource

English

Full Text Available

No

Open Access / OK to Reproduce

No

Peer Reviewed

Yes

Objective

To estimate the treated prevalence of mental illness, substance use disorder (SUD) and dual diagnosis and the association between dual diagnosis and fatal and non-fatal overdose among residents of British Columbia (BC), Canada.

Findings/Key points

In a large sample of residents of British Columbia (Canada), approximately one in five people had sought care for a substance use disorder or mental illness in the past 5 years. The rate of overdose was elevated in people with a mental illness alone, higher again in people with a substance use disorder alone and highest in people with a dual diagnosis. The adjusted hazard rates were similar for people with substance use disorder only and people with a dual diagnosis.

Design/methods

A retrospective cohort study using linked health, income assistance, corrections and death records. A total of 921 346 BC residents (455 549 males and 465 797 females) aged 10 years and older.

Keywords

Overdose
About PWUD
Outcomes
Illegal drugs
Mental health