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... However, dual diagnosis as a theme in mental health, looks to explore the issues and health care needs of individuals with substance abuse problems with a co-existing mental disorder. Population and clinical studies suggest that the nature and extent of dual disorders frequently co-exist and their prevalence may be increasing (NSW Health, 2000). Recent epidemiology surveys conducted in the in the United States also show a dramatic increase in the prevalence of people with co-existing substance related and mental health disorders (Primm, 2000). ...
As stated in a 2000 discussion paper from NSW Health, access to services has become increasingly restricted as more and more health organisations are operating within an exclusive, rather than inclusive model of care (NSW Health, 2000). ... For these people with serious and disabling disorders, a health care service that can meet their needs is required. ... A recent counter to the dearth of knowledge in this area is the 1997 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing in Adults in Australia. ... Others suggest that drug use is merely a symptom of some other underlying psychopathology and system theorists have studied the role of familial dysfunction in the development of addictive disorders (NSW Health, 2000). ...
(NSW Health, 2000).
The economic and social ramifications of the dually diagnosed is also an important consideration when looking at this condition in a public health context. Research has shown that this group of individuals made greater demands on the mental health support and crisis services compared with others who did not have co-morbid substance use problems, and this pattern seemed to reflect the psychosocial pressures and crises that they experienced. ... These individuals with co-existing disorders and their families are also amongst the highest users of expensive health care services. The vast majority of individuals have the mental health disorder develop first often in the pre-teen or early teen years. ...
The significance of these emerging trends of increases in the number of people with co-morbid disorders and the implications for health care services is enormous. ... The proposition that it is better to prevent illness than to allow it to occur with its associated suffering, loss of function, and need for treatment, is one of the basic premises of public health that requires no justification (Breakey, 1996, pp. ... It is also noted that the problem of dual diagnosis is likely to have implications in the way mental health services are used (Hipwell et al, 2000). ...
In Australia it is noted that the doubly disabled are poorly served and tend to ¡§fall between the cracks¡¨ of our mental health and drug and alcohol services. ... There is little provision in our mental health system for adequate rehabilitation. ... There is also the issue of health care professionals not being adequately trained to deal with the dually diagnosed. ...
It is interesting that although these individuals with co-morbid disorders utilise health services more than people with a single disorder, there are still very few specialist services which focus on ongoing care and management of individuals affected by both disorders. To address this issue, in 1998 a project officer was appointed by the Centre for Mental Health and Drug Programs Bureau of the NSW Health Department. This joint initiative was developed to identify and address gaps in service delivery, to promote a model of collaborative partnership and specifically to develop service delivery guidelines to improve the health care and health outcomes for people affected by dual disorders.
Approximate Word count = 2705
Approximate Pages = 10.8
(250 words per page double spaced)
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