When dual diagnosis means no diagnosis: co-occurring mental illness and problematic drug use in clients of alcohol and drug services in eastern metropolitan Melbourne

Abstract

Background: Most previous studies examining the prevalence of co-occurring psychiatric illness and problematic substance use in Australia have been population studies or focused on clients of psychiatric services. There is little literature on the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in persons attending Alcohol and Drug Services (ADS). Aims: This study attempted to estimate the incidence of mental health disorders in people treated at two ADS in Melbourne and to describe the mental disorders with which they present. Method: 165 client records from two ADS were reviewed to determine the incidence and characteristics of psychiatric problems in people presenting for management of substance use. Results: Psychiatric diagnoses were recorded in 42% of client records but rarely substantiated by further documentation. The most common diagnoses were mood disorders (31.5%). Only 4.9% clients were diagnosed with drug-induced psychosis. Personality disorders were not recorded. While 52.7% of clients were documented a...