Nearly Half of Individuals with Addictions in Spain Face Mental Health Issues, New Study Reveals
A new UNAD report shows nearly half of people treated for addictions in Spain also face mental health problems, highlighting treatment challenges and early drug use.
- • 49% of women and 45% of men treated for addictions also have mental health issues.
- • 37,899 people accessed addiction treatment in Spain in 2023, with women comprising 22%.
- • Early drug use is prevalent, with one in ten individuals starting before age 14.
- • Specialized interventions are insufficient to meet the growing severity of addictions and mental health needs.
Key details
A recent report by UNAD, Spain’s network for addiction care, highlights a concerning overlap between addiction and mental health problems. According to the 2024 "Profile of Addictions" report, 49% of women and 45% of men seeking treatment for substance addictions in Spain also suffer from mental health issues. In 2023, 37,899 people accessed treatment across 102 entities, though only 22% were women.
The study exposes significant challenges: many women face societal stigma and invisibility, as noted by UNAD vice president Elisabeth Ortega. The typical female patient is over 34, unemployed, living with family, and battling mental health struggles, often using alcohol, cannabis, tobacco, and prescription drugs. Men, who more commonly use cocaine and heroin, tend to have physical health complications and fewer family responsibilities. One in ten individuals began using drugs before age 14, with Asturias showing the earliest onset, where most started as minors.
UNAD secretary Encarnación Pámpanas emphasized the growing addiction severity with age and the pressing need for specialized interventions, which remain inadequate relative to demand. The study also examines non-substance addictions like gambling and gaming, treated in 1,304 cases last year, with slot machines being the most common addiction across genders.
The report underscores the urgency for early intervention and improved addiction treatment services in Spain, particularly addressing the co-occurrence of mental health disorders that complicate recovery.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.