Citation

Bobrowski D. Univ. Toronto Med. J. 2018; 95(2): 54-56.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, University of Toronto Press)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Dual disorders manifest as a social problem of high prevalence and great importance. The stigma associated with mental illness and substance use has been well documented and conceptually distinguished from physical disease. Those who suffer from mental health and substance use disorders recognize this sense of opprobrium, and their illness inevitably leads to social ostracism, self-deprecation, repeat or chronic self-harm experiences, the fear of being judged by authority figures, and the danger of suicide. Individuals with concurrent disorders often end up in acute care facilities, with inadequate follow-up, at great expense to the healthcare system. Despite the burden of concurrent substance use and mental illness, there is a lack of consensus on how to best identify and treat this pathology. These gaps in our knowledge base need to be addressed. It is mandatory that additional research be conducted to identify and engage the large number of individuals affected by both psychiatric and addictive disorders in a therapeutic manner. These realities highlight the need for the intelligent rationing of resources. © 2018, University of Toronto. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Substance use; Mental health; Concurrent disorders; Interdisciplinary care