Gender differences in psychiatric comorbidity among cocaine-using opiate addicts

Psychiatric comorbidity was examined for a sample of 212 methadone patients dually addicted to opiates and cocaine, focusing on gender differences. Diagnoses were determined by the SCID for DSM-III-R. Men displayed more lifetime (but not current) substance use disorders, while women displayed more lifetime and current non-substance use disorders. There were several significant interactions among psychiatric disorders and gender. Women were more likely than men to present with concurrent mood and anxiety disorders. Women with ASPD were unlikely to have alcohol use disorder, but likely to have opioid use disorder. Men with anxiety were likely to be diagnosed with ASPD. Treatment implications of the findings are discussed.