Finally, it is possible that respondents with psychiatric disorders received mental health treatment, which unfortunately was not assessed by the SSADDA. Mental health treatment could indirectly reduce the severity of cocaine dependence by enhancing the individual’s functioning and emotional and behavioral regulation, as well as potentially leading to the identification of cocaine dependence and participation in substance dependence treatment or self-help. The finding that four of the five psychiatric disorders were associated with participation in either treatment or self-help supports the possibility that psychiatric disorders may lead to individuals receiving help for cocaine dependence and thus indirectly reduce cocaine dependence severity.
