Psychiatrist Warns of Dangerous Gap Between Mental Illness and Addiction Care
A leading psychiatrist has warned that the link between mental illness and addiction is too often ignored. Néstor Szerman highlighted the issue as a major gap in healthcare systems. His comments come amid growing evidence of how substance use affects mental health.
Research shows that over 75% of people with severe mental illness also struggle with addiction. This connection is frequently missed in treatment plans, according to Szerman. He stressed that better coordination between mental health and addiction services is urgently needed.
A separate study found that more than a third of first psychotic episodes are linked to cannabis use. The findings suggest that early intervention could prevent long-term harm. However, current systems often fail to address both conditions together.
Szerman’s remarks follow years of advocacy for integrated mental health care. He has repeatedly called for policies that treat mental health and addiction as interconnected issues. Without such changes, many patients risk falling through the cracks.
The call for reform comes as data underscores the scale of the problem. With most severe mental illness cases involving addiction, experts say the system must adapt. Better training and resources could help bridge the gap in care.
