Among depressed adults in the US, comorbid substance use disorders (SUD) modestly, but significantly, decrease the likelihood of receiving past-year depression care, a recent study found. Researchers evaluated data from 25,500 adults who participated in the 2008–2014 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health. They found:

• During 2008–2014, approximately 55.4% of depressed US adults with SUD received past-year depression care, while 60.1% of depressed adults without SUD received such care.
• Overall, co-occurring SUD was associated with an 8% decreased likelihood of receiving past-year depression care.
• For depressed adults with severe functional impairment, co-occurring SUD was associated with a 9% decreased likelihood of receiving past-year depression care.
• The following depressed adults were at increased risk of not receiving depression care: those without functional impairment, without suicidal ideation, and without physical comorbidities, aged 18–29, male, racial/ethnic minorities, having less than high school education, uninsured, and never married.