Understanding Dual Diagnosis: Substance Abuse and Mental Illness

Persons with co-occurring substance use disorder (SUD) and mental illness are referred to as having a dual diagnosis. Individuals with this condition are often very complex and require challenging treatment procedures. In order to improve recovery outcomes for this population, dual diagnosis treatment must be informed by evidence-based practice and research. In order to improve patient care experiences and outcomes, dual diagnosis care must be informed by relevant evidence. Although National Institute of Health [1], released findings showing there are over 8 million people with mental illness and substance abuse in the United States of America (USA), empirical research and evidence-based practice to inform effective care delivery are lacking. There is even less evidence concerning the correlates of dual diagnosis in in-patient settings; including the relationship between mental health service settings and the initiation and maintenance of substance abuse. The purpose of this study is to explore the correlation between the drug of choice and psychiatric problems while examining the prevalence and social context for substance use among those with psychotic illnesses. The term dual diagnosis describes the co-existence of two disorders and has been used as a label for several medical and psychiatric conditions, e.g., learning disability and mental illness, personality disorder and depressive illness. More recently, it has been commonly used as a label to describe people with mental health problems who also have a substance use disorder.

Keywords:Substance abuse; Mental illness; Dual diagnosis; Evidence and research