Journal of general internal medicine
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In the United States (U.S.), the prevalence of anxiety and depression is increasing, yet significant barriers to mental health treatment remain. U.S. military veterans are disproportionately affected by anxiety and depression. Many veterans receive medical care within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), an integrated healthcare system that has enacted clinical initiatives to reduce barriers to mental health treatment. ⋯ Among veterans with anxiety or depression, VHA patients were more likely to receive mental health treatment than non-VHA veterans. Findings suggest that veteran use of counseling and psychiatric interventions remains limited, though the integrated healthcare system of the VHA may facilitate access to mental health treatment and provides a framework for non-VHA medical centers to expand access to and improve delivery of mental health services.
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Patients with substance use disorder (SUD) are frequently hospitalized and readmitted. Hospitalization is an opportunity for treatment initiation, including medications for alcohol (MAUD) and opioid use disorder (MOUD). Addiction consult teams are one model for increasing hospital-based SUD treatment. ⋯ Addiction consultation is associated with increased MAUD and MOUD receipt and decreased risk of 30-day readmission. MOUD initiation and MAUD initiation are associated with reduced risk of readmission.