Substance related disorders is a problem of global concern because of the high prevalence and costs for patients and society. In one of the latest surveys, 52% of the American population reported being current alcohol drinkers and 6.3% admitted being heavy drinkers. In addition, 9.4% are illicit drug users, being marijuana the most commonly used.

To determine whether there is a relation between the substance of abuse and the demographic characteristics, medical and psychiatric comorbidities of patients with substance use disorder.

This correlational study examined data of 218 patients with substance use disorder (DSM-5), that consulted at the Addiction Unit of “Red de Salud, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile”, between April 2012 and September 2015. Data included: demographics, medical and psychiatric history, laboratory and imaging tests.

Out of all the patients, 57% suffered from alcohol use disorder, whereas 21% abused of marijuana, 20% of cocaine and 8% of benzodiazepines. There was a correlation between alcohol use disorder and being over 40 years of age, being separated and having higher educational studies. For marijuana, being under 40 years of age, being single and having no medical comorbidities. For cocaine, not being single. For benzodiazepines, being over 40 years of age, being separated and having medical comorbidities. All of these correlations were statistically significant.

These results emphasize on the complexity of these patients and on the important contrast created between age, marital status, level of education and prevalence of comorbidity depending on the abused substance.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.