Return to the PIE Home PageNo local studies have been conducted within the last decade that provide an estimate of the prevalence of alcohol, drug abuse, or mental health disorders (ADM) in Franklin County. Therefore, it is reasonable to use the results of the National Comorbidity Survey (1991) conducted by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to estimate local prevalence for ADM disorders. This study describes the prevalence of ADM disorders in the general population aged 15 to 54. According to the 1990 census, there were 594,014 people living in Franklin County between the ages of 15 and 54. This number is used below when applying the percentages established by the National Comorbidity Survey.
It is estimated that 285,000 people in Franklin County between the ages of 15 and 54 have had an ADM disorder over the course of their lifetime. For 127,000 people, this disorder was solely a mental disorder such as affective, anxiety, or antisocial disorders. Another 77,000 people had a substance abuse/dependence disorder. Finally, 81,000 Franklin County residents had both a substance abuse and a mental health disorder over the course of their lifetime.
Another way to measure prevalence of ADM disorders is to estimate how many people have any of these disorders over the course of one year. During 1990, an estimated 175,000 Franklin County residents, age 15 - 54, had some form of ADM disorder. Substance abuse/dependence affected an estimated 67,000 people. Anxiety disorders affected an estimated102,000 people, while an estimated 67,000 people were affected by Affective disorders such as depression, dysthymia and mania.
It is important to note that the National Comorbidity Survey (1991) reports significant differences in the prevalence of ADM disorders between the sexes. According to the survey report, "...men are more likely than women to have substance abuse disorders which include alcohol and other drug abuse and dependence. Men also are more likely to have antisocial personality disorder. Women, in contrast, are more likely to have affective disorders (such as depression) and anxiety disorders (such as panic attacks and phobias)".
Lifetime Past Year
Number Percent Number Percent
Any ADM Disorder 285,000 48.0 175,000 29.5
Only Mental Disorder 127,000 21.4 108,000 18.2
Only Sub Abuse/Dep 77,000 12.9 39,000 6.6
Both Substance Abuse
and Mental Disorder 81,000 13.7 28,000 4.7
Life Time Past Year
Number Percent Number Percent
Any Affective Disorders 115,000 19.3 67,000 11.3
Major Depressive Episode 102,000 17.1 61,000 10.3
Manic Episode 10,000 1.6 8,000 1.3
Dysthymia 38,000 6.4 15,000 2.5
Any Anxiety Disorders 148,000 24.9 102,000 17.2
Panic Disorder 21,000 3.5 14,000 2.3
Agoraphobia without Panic
Disorder 31,000 5.3 17,000 2.8
Social Phobia 79,000 13.3 47,000 7.9
Simple Phobia 67,000 11.3 52,000 8.8
Generalized Anxiety Disorder 30,000 5.1 18,000 3.1
Antisocial Personality 21,000 3.5 NA NA
Non Affective Psychosis 4,000 0.7 3,000 0.5
NA: Data are not available
Note: Local figures are based on national estimates found in the National Comorbidity Survey (1991). Affective disorders include major depressive episode, manic episode and, dysthymia. Anxiety disorders include panic disorder, agoraphobia, social phobia, simple phobia, and generalized anxiety disorder. Non-affective psychoses include schizophrenias, delusional disorder, and atypical psychoses. Substance abuse disorder includes both abuse and dependence on alcohol and other drugs.
Source:Substance Abuse and Mental Health Statistical Sourcebook, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Public Health Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Filename: PS-033