Treating obsessive-compulsive disorder among substance abusers: A guide.

Abstract

Recent epidemiological evidence suggests that obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has a lifetime prevalence of 2.5% in the general population, making it the 4th most common psychiatric illness. Some studies indicate that OCD may affect as many as 12% to 13% of substance abusers who seek treatment. Addressing the addiction and a comorbid OCD condition simultaneously may substantially improve treatment prognosis for these dually diagnosed patients. This article explores psychotherapeutic and pharmacologic approaches that have recently been developed to treat OCD and also explains how these interventions can be integrated into a substance abuse treatment plan. A case example illustrating these treatments is also provided.

Coexisting Psychiatric Disorders in a New Zealand Outpatient Alcohol and other Drug Clinical Population

“…Rates of OCD in substance misusers have generally been found to be low [25], although two studies [9,26] have found rates of 13% and 12% respectively in alcoholic treatment samples. Rates of OCD in substance misusers have generally been found to be low [25], although two studies [9,26] have found rates of 13% and 12% respectively in alcoholic treatment samples.…”

“…The most surprising diagnostic finding was the high rate of OCD, diagnosed in approximately one-fifth of the sample. Rates of OCD in substance misusers have generally been found to be low [25], although two studies [9,26] have found rates of 13% and 12% respectively in alcoholic treatment samples.…”

Coexisting psychiatric disorders in a New Zealand outpatient alcohol and other drug clinical population

“…The most surprising diagnostic finding was the high rate of OCD, diagnosed in approximately one‐fifth of the sample. Rates of OCD in substance misusers have generally been found to be low [25], although two studies [9,26] have found rates of 13% and 12% respectively in alcoholic treatment samples.…”

Anxiety and Substance Use Disorders

“…As argued by Fals- Stewart and Lucente (1994), there are two primary reasons to suspect that OCD is often under-detected among substance-abusing populations, making it difficult to evaluate accurately its prevalence among these patients. First, symptoms of OCD are very often overlooked among substance-abusing patients and are often not adequately assessed during intake interviews for treatment entry; counselors and other evaluators in substance abuse treatment programs typically do not have the requisite expertise or experience to recognize co-morbid OCD.…”