Psychiatric and substance use diagnoses referred from three settings to a new dual diagnosis program

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe associations between psychiatric and substance use disorders that had been referred to a newly established Dual Diagnosis (DD) Program from a Drug Treatment Service (DTS), Community Mental Health Teams (CMHT), and an Inpatient Service within a regional Mental Health Service.Methods: Clinical measurements were obtained over a 10-month interval, from March to December 1999. Psychiatric and Substance Use diagnostic groups, level of Abuse/Dependency, stage of treatment and potential outcome measurements were recorded. Instruments used were personal psychiatric interview, Clinician Rating Scale (CRS), Substance abuse and Treatment Scale (SATS), Health of the Nation Outcome Scale (HoNOS) and Life Skills Profile (LSP).Results: 65 subjects, predominately males, with significant disability, as measured by HoNOS and LSP, are described. The psychiatric diagnoses fell into 5 groups; Psychotic Disorders, Mood and Anxiety Disorders, DSM1V Axis 11 Disorders, Mixed Mood a...