You are in Artículos VOLUME 50 ISSUE 4: "Care approach to addiction in theValencian Community: where are we headed?"
Substance use disorders and comorbidity within mental disorders. Descriptive analysis of an Addiction Treatment Unit of València
30/12/2025

Substance use disorders and comorbidity within mental disorders. Descriptive analysis of an Addiction Treatment Unit of València

abstract

This study aims to describe the characteristics of patients admitted to an addiction treatment unit, with particular attention to patients with comorbidity within mental disorder (dual pathology). A observational and retrospective study was conducted in the Addiction Treatment Unit of Paterna-La Coma (València), analyzing data from 2.086 patients admitted between 2012 and 2023. A total of 78.3% of patients were men, with a mean age of 20 years in young patients and 40 years in adults. 35.2% of patients reported prior treatment. 36.7% had an alcohol use disorder, followed by cocaine (27.2%), cannabis (20.3%), and heroin (12.8%). The remaining 42.5% met criteria for polydrug use. Furthermore, 58.9% of patients have comorbidity with another mental disorder and/or personality disorder, and of these, 11.0% have two concomitant mental illnesses associated with substance use disorder. Women present a higher percentage of mental disorders. These findings reinforce the need to address substance use disorder as a chronic process, underscoring the importance of early intervention and long-term treatment to improve mental health outcomes and reduce comorbidity.

Keywords:

Substance use disorder, dual pathology, adherence.

Received date

04/09/2025

Accepted date

10/12/2025

View article in PDF View PDF in Spanish

Authors

  • Noelia Borràs Llopis - Servicio de Urgencias del Hospital Arnau de Vilanova. Departamento Valencia Arnau de Vilanova-Llíria. Generalitat Valenciana. España

  • Noelia Llorens Aleixandre - Consultora externa. Observatorio Español de las Drogas y las Adicciones (OEDA). Delegación del Gobierno para el Plan Nacional sobre Drogas. Ministerio de Sanidad, Madrid. España

  • Joan Borràs Ferrís - CTO at Kensight. Departamento de estadística e investigación operativa aplicadas y calidad. Universitat Politècnica de València. España

  • Amparo Sánchez Mañez - Unidad de Conductas Adictivas de Paterna-La Coma. Departamento Valencia Arnau de Vilanova-Llíria. Generalitat Valenciana. España

  • Marisa Dorado García - Unidad de Conductas Adictivas de Guillem de Castro. Departamento Valencia Hospital General. Generalitat Valenciana. España

Share: