Some Substance Use, Mental Conditions Have Similar Death Risks As Heavy Smoking

A new review of studies shows just how some substance use disorders and mental conditions affect lifespan —- and depending on the condition, the mortality risks are the same, if not higher, than heavy smoking. “We found that many mental health diagnoses are associated with a drop in life expectancy as great as that associated with smoking 20 or more cigarettes a day,” study researcher Dr. Seena Fazel, of the Department of Psychiatry at Oxford University, said in a statement. …