Drug Abuse and Mental Disorders

Needs assessment data has led me to believe that there is an alcohol and drug abuse problem in the county.  Drug dependency is associated with a higher risk of mental complications. This chart, taken from MICA compares the rate of alcohol and substance abuse emergency visits in the county to the state in that last few years:



 http://health.mo.gov/data/mica/ASPsEmergencyRoom/trend.php?county=095&code=015058

This chart, also taken from MICA compares the rate of mental disorders in the county and state:

 http://health.mo.gov/data/mica/ASPsEmergencyRoom/trend.php?county=095&code=015059

As seen, substance abuse complications and mental disorders are increasing at a similar rate. I am not saying that alcohol and drugs cause mental disorders, but this data shows that there is a positive relationship. It is true that this problem has been around for some time, but more interventions should be implemented to target this at-risk population.

Sources:
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Missouri Information for Community Assessment. (2009). Emergency Room Visit Profile – for Jackson County (Data file). Retrieved from http://health.mo.gov/data/mica/ASPsEmergencyRoom/header.php?cnty=095

 

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Missouri Information for Community Assessment. (2012). [Jackson County Alcohol and Drug Abuse MICA data, 2012] Retrieved from http://dmh.mo.gov/docs/ada/countylinks/Indicators2010/e193.pdf

Missouri Information for Community Assessment. (2012). [Jackson County ADA Treatment Admission MICA data, 2012] Retrieved from http://dmh.mo.gov/docs/ada/countylinks/ADAfy2011/e194.pdf