Psychiatric Comorbidities and Substance Use Among Individuals with Physical Health Issues and Chronic Diseases
A special issue of Medicina (ISSN 1648-9144).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 December 2025 | Viewed by 12
Special Issue Editor
Interests: injury; violence; social epidemiology; mental health
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Psychiatric comorbidities and substance use significantly impact the health outcomes, quality of life, longevity, and prognosis of individuals with physical health issues or chronic diseases. Individuals with chronic conditions (e.g., diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, or chronic pain) often face heightened risks of mental illnesses and substance use disorders, which can exacerbate physical health outcomes and complicate treatment. Frequently, co-occurring mental health and drug use issues are neglected among people with chronic illnesses and physical health issues, leading to lower life expectancy, poor prognosis, and higher healthcare service utilization and costs among these individuals. In part, this is due to our fragmented health systems that lack comprehensive care for patients. With this Special Issue, I hope to encourage submissions that discuss the epidemiology and determinants of substance use and mental illnesses among those with chronic diseases and major physical health problems and the impact of these co-occurring problems on health outcomes, quality of life, life expectancy, etc. Also, submissions are sought for the complex interplay between psychiatric comorbidities, substance use, and physical health issues or chronic diseases. This issue aims to advance the understanding of the bidirectional relationships, underlying mechanisms, and effective interventions for this vulnerable population. Submissions are specifically sought in the areas of the prevalence and patterns of psychiatric comorbidities and substance use in those with chronic diseases; biological, psychological, and social factors mediating these comorbidities; the impact of mental illnesses and substance use on chronic disease management; and integrated care models and multidisciplinary interventions to address co-occurring physical and mental health issues. Above all, therapeutic approaches, including pharmacological, behavioural, psychosocial, and digital health solutions for co-occurring substance use disorders or mental illnesses and chronic diseases/physical health problems, are of high interest. Submissions should provide rigorous empirical insights or comprehensive theoretical frameworks to inform clinical practice, policy, and future research. High-quality reviews and population-based studies with large samples and big datasets, driven by technology, will be given a special preference.
You may choose our Joint Special Issue in Epidemiologia.
Prof. Dr. Jagdish Khubchandani
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- psychiatry
- substance use
- chronic disease
- physical health issues
- addiction
- mental health
- health outcomes
- alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use
- healthcare utilization
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