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Dual diagnosis of substance abuse and severe mental illness: the scope of the problem
- Author:
- BUCKLEY Peter F.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Dual Diagnosis, 3(2), 2007, pp.59-62.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This short paper notes, on the basis of US data, that mental illness and substance abuse co-occur at an alarmingly high rate. Causes may include self-medication, genetic vulnerability, environmental factors or lifestyle, underlying shared origins, or a common neural substrate. The consequences of co-occurring substance abuse include poor medication compliance, physical co-morbidities and poor health, poor self-care, increased suicide or aggression, increased risky sexual behaviour and a higher risk of incarceration. Appropriate screening, assessment and integrated mental health and addiction services for dual diagnosis are key components of care for this complex patient group. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).