Comorbidity Between DSM–IV Alcohol and Drug Use Disorders: Results From the National Longitudinal Alcohol Epidemiologic Survey

Research has not yet determined the answers to many questions regarding the comorbidity of alcohol and drug use disorders. Past studies often have not distinguished abuse from dependence and use and have not made diagnoses according to psychiatric classifications. This study relies on data from the 1992 National Longitudinal Alcohol Epidemiologic Survey, which attempts to address these concerns. The study demonstrates a pervasive co-occurrence of alcohol and drug use disorders in the general population. Further, the comorbidity of alcohol and drug dependence is found to be significantly greater than the comorbidity of alcohol and drug abuse.