Comorbidity of substance misuse and mental illness in community mental health and substance misuse services
Year: 2003
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Improved management of mental illness and substance misuse comorbidity is a National Health Service priority, but little is known about its prevalence and current management. AIMS: To measure the prevalence of comorbidity among patients of community mental health teams (CMHTs) and substance misuse services, and to assess the potential for joint management. METHOD: Cross-sectional prevalence survey in four urban UK centres. RESULTS: Of CMHT patients, 44% (95% CI 38.1-49.9) reported past-year problem drug use and/or harmful alcohol use; 75% (95% CI 68.2-80.2) of drug service and 85% of alcohol service patients (95% CI 74.2-93.1) had a past-year psychiatric disorder. Most comorbidity patients appear ineligible for cross-referral between services. Large proportions are not identified by services and receive no specialist intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Comorbidity is highly prevalent in CMHT, drug and alcohol treatment populations, but may be difficult to manage by cross-referral psychiatric and substance misuse services as currently configured and resourced.
Authors: T. Weaver, P. Madden, V. Charles, G. Stimson, A. Renton, P. Tyrer, T. Barnes, C. Bench, H. Middleton, N. Wright, S. Paterson, W. Shanahan, N. Seivewright, C. Ford, Comorbidity of Substance Misuse and Mental Illness Collaborative (Cosmic) Study Team
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2117568383