Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
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The drugs don't work
- Author:
- WELLARD Sarah
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 31.10.02, 2002, pp.32-33.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
Discusses how mental health services are being challenged by the use of drugs by young people with mental health problems.
The prevalence and characteristics of co-occurring serious mental illness (SMI) and substance abuse or dependence in the patients of Adult Mental Health and Addictions Services in eastern Dorset
- Authors:
- VIRGO Nick, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Mental Health, 10(2), April 2001, pp.175-188.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
Researchers interviewed key workers of all NHS inpatient, day-patient and outpatient Adult Mental Health (AMH) and Addictions Services in eastern Dorset. 'Dual diagnosis' (co-occurring severe mental illness (SMI) and substance abuse or dependence) occurred in 12% of addictions, 12% of all AMH, and 20% of SMI, AMH patients (range 10% rehabilitation to 41% acute wards). Most 'dual diagnoses' in AMH were alcohol and/or cannabis abuse with psychoses, and in addictions heroin dependence and/or alcohol abuse or dependence with depression. Compared with other AMH, SMI patients, AMH 'dual diagnosed' patients were younger; were more often male, in less stable accommodation, unemployed, with more than one psychiatric diagnosis and personality disorder; and tended to have more crises and pose greater risk to themselves and others. Compared with 'dual diagnosed' addictions patients they were less involved with drugs, at less risk of abuse by others and less often acknowledged dual problems.
Psychiatric effects of cannabis
- Author:
- JOHNS Andrew
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 178, February 2001, pp.116-122.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Aims To re-evaluate the adverse effects of cannabis in the general population and among vulnerable individuals, including those with serious psychiatric disorders. It was found that an appreciable proportion of cannabis users report short-lived adverse effects, including psychotic states following heavy consumption, and regular users are at risk of dependence. People with major mental illnesses such as schizophrenia are especially vulnerable in that cannabis generally provokes relapse and aggravates existing symptoms. Health workers need to recognise, and respond to, the adverse effects of cannabis on mental health.
Long-term cannabis use and mental health
- Authors:
- HALL Wayne, SOLOWI Nadia
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 171, August 1997, pp.107-108.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Looks at how the mental health consequences of the daily or near-daily use of cannabis over years and decades remain uncertain, and are likely to remain so for some time given the difficulties involved in investigating them. Nevertheless, there is sufficient evidence that its effects are neither as benign as proponents of its legalisation often argue, nor as malign as some partisans of continued prohibition claim.
Drug and alcohol problems among individuals with severe mental illness in South London
- Authors:
- MENEZES Paulo R., et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 168, May 1996, pp.612-619.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
High rates of comorbid alcohol and drug disorders have previously been found among individuals with severe mental illnesses such a schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorders. Clinical and social outcomes have been reported to be worse in this group and service costs greater than in individuals with severe mental illness only. This article looks at a study of these 'dual diagnosis' patients to study patterns of substance abuse. Concludes that the prevalence of substance problems among people suffering from severe mental disorders is high, and seems to be associated with greater use of in-patient services. Recognises this as a significant clinical problem, with cost implications.
Drug and alcohol misuse among in-patients with psychotic illnesses in three inner-London psychiatric units
- Authors:
- PHILLIPS Prashant, JOHNSON Sonia
- Journal article citation:
- Psychiatric Bulletin, 27(6), June 2003, pp.217-220.
- Publisher:
- Royal College of Psychiatrists
Ward staff were asked to rate whether in-patients with a diagnosis of functional psychotic illness also met criteria for a diagnosis of alcohol or drug misuse or dependence during the preceding 6 months. Those who demonstrated such evidence were then asked to report the nature and extent of their substance use and whether they continued to use as in-patients. 264 in-patients with psychotic illness were screened for evidence of recent or current alcohol or drug misuse. According to staff reports, 127 (48.9%) met the criteria for substance misuse or dependence. The mean age of those with 'dual diagnosis' was 34.7 years and 72% were male. Eighty-three (83%) of those with a history of current or recent alcohol or drug misuse reported that they had continued to use alcohol and/or illicit drugs in the in-patient wards during their current admission. It appears difficult to prevent in-patients with drug or alcohol misuse problems from continuing to use substances in hospital. Further consideration and investigation of how best to manage this group is therefore required.
Evidence-based social work practice with mentally ill persons who abuse alcohol and other drugs
- Author:
- O'HARE Thomas
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work in Mental Health, 1(1), 2002, pp.43-62.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This article outlines a comprehensive approach to evidence-based social work practice, and applies it to persons with severe and persistent mentalillness who also abuse alcohol and other drugs. Representative empirical literature is summarized within a framework that delineates the three major functions of evidence-based social work practice: assessment, intervention andevaluation. Assessment protocol, which incorporates the use of valid scales tocomplement the qualitative interview, is based on domain-specific research that outlines relevant psychosocial risk factors, and highlights those that are amenable to change. Intervention strategies are derived from the growing body ofcontrolled research findings, but flexibility in implementation is recommended to accommodate clients' individual needs and the vagaries of daily practice. Naturalistic evaluation methods are used to capitalize on the use of brief,valid process and outcome measures to augment individual qualitative evaluation and to aggregate data for programme evaluation. The implications of this integrated evidence-based strategy for social work practice are discussed.
Government moves on in-patient care and dual diagnosis win praise
- Author:
- LEASON Katie
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 9.5.02, 2002, pp.14-15.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
The Department of Health has recently published guidance aimed at improving treatment for dual diagnosis patients and adults in acute in-patient care. Mental health charities have welcomed the guidance, but argue that it must be accompanied with additional resources if services are to be improved.
Survey of staff perceptions of illicit drug use among patients in a medium secure unit
- Authors:
- DOLAN Mairead, KIRWAN Helen
- Journal article citation:
- Psychiatric Bulletin, 25(1), January 2001, pp.14-17.
- Publisher:
- Royal College of Psychiatrists
This study is a survey of staff perceptions of illicit drug among in-patients in a medium secure unit. Results showed that sixty per cent of staff were aware of drug misuse on the unit. Less than one-third of staff were clear about the unit's policy for dealing with in-patient drug use and few have had adequate training in the management of patients with dual diagnoses. Strategies for dealing with drug misuse appear to focus on security rather than therapeutic issues. Services need to provide adequate training for staff on the management of patients with co-morbid substance misuse, introduce patient education programmes and develop and disseminate clear policies that emphasise both therapy and security.
Mental health
- Author:
- RYAN Peter
- Journal article citation:
- Research Matters, 9, April 2000, pp.48-50.
- Publisher:
- Community Care
The needs of people with severe mental health problems who are also misusing substances are complex and challenging. Describes recent research that offers a valuable insight into the characteristics and incidence of dual diagnosis.