It is estimated that 75% of people using drug and addiction services and 85% of people using alcohol services had a psychiatric disorder in the past year. In addition, 44% of patients using community mental health services had problems with drug or alcohol use (Weaver et al, 2003).
In relation to alcohol specifically, morbidity and deaths from alcoholic liver disease have doubled in the last 20 years (Williams, R et al, 2018). People with alcoholic liver disease live with multiple health conditions, including mental health conditions. In this group, people living on lower incomes and who face other health inequalities, are much more likely to become severely ill.
In spite of the high level of comorbidity, few services provide integrated care for both mental health and substance use disorders.