Treatment Patterns and Barriers to Care Among U.S. Adults With Co-Occurring Substance Use Disorder and Mental Illness

This study investigates treatment patterns and barriers to care for U.S. adults with co-occurring substance use disorder (SUD) and mental illness, utilizing data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. The authors found that while there was a modest increase in treatment rates from 2021 to 2023, significant disparities and barriers—such as stigma, cost, and limited access—persisted, highlighting the need for improved coordination and enforcement of parity in behavioral health services.