Co-occurring intellectual disability and substance use disorders

Individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) are an expanding population that confronts multiple disadvantages from social and environmental determinants of health. Deinstitutionalization and community integration have improved the lives of individuals with ID in many ways. However, deinstitutionalization may increase their access to alcohol and drugs and the potential for developing Substance Abuse Disorders (SUD). It is estimated that 7–8 million people in the United States with an intellectual disability (ID) suffer disproportionately from substance use problems [1]. There is a lack of empirical evidence to inform prevention and treatment efforts in this population and more research needs to be done in order to address these issues.