The delivery of adequate treatment to persons with SUD, mood or anxiety disorders, especially to those with co-occurring disorders has been of increasing concern to clinicians, administrators and public health professionals. A methodical, staged screening and assessment can ease the burden of distinguishing symptoms of mood disorders from manifestations of substance intoxication and withdrawal. Integration of treatment programs and services, and expansion of collaborations between substance abuse and mental health providers, can optimize outcomes when SUD and mood and anxiety disorders converge. Current and up-to-date knowledge of the prevalence, onset, comorbidity, severity, and disability are critical to improve existing and future prevention and intervention programs in addressing these major personal and public health problems.
