Topics tagged with "Dual diagnosis"

Substance use

Therapies for dual diagnosis

What is psychotherapy for dual diagnosis? Dual diagnosis describes a condition when a person with both a mental health diagnosis such as PTSD and a substance use disorder. This comorbidity is associated with poorer treatment outcomes than for either condition alone. Several psychological therapies are successful at treating each disorder individually, however when occurring together, they may be harder to treat. What is the evidence for psychotherapy for dual diagnosis? Moderate to low quality evidence found a small improvement in PTSD symptoms in people with a dual diagnosis following individual psychological treatments that have a trauma focus when compared to…

Substance use

Drug and alcohol use

What is substance use in bipolar disorder? Substance use is a concern for people with a mental illness due to the association with poor clinical and social outcomes. Substance use places additional burden on patients, families, psychiatric services, and government resources due to high rates of treatment non-adherence and relapse. Substance abuse leads to risk-taking behaviour, illegal activity, interpersonal problems and a loss of interest in usual activities. Abuse jeopardises physical health and neglect of important commitments at home, school or work. Substance dependence involves having a strong physical or psychological need for the substance. Not taking it leads to…

Substance use

Therapies for dual diagnosis

What is dual diagnosis? Dual diagnosis is a term that refers to having both a mental illness such as bipolar disorder and a substance use problem. Studies of dual diagnosis investigate the effectiveness and availability of treatments for improving outcomes relating to either diagnosis, such as symptoms, functioning, quality of life, substance use, or cognitive problems. What is the evidence for treatments for dual diagnosis? Moderate to low quality evidence finds some improvement in symptoms and substance use with cognitive behavioural therapy plus medication. However, these results were not consistently found using different measures of substance use and symptoms. November…

Substance use

Medication for dual diagnosis

What is dual diagnosis in bipolar disorder? Several treatments have been targeted to people with ‘dual diagnosis’, which is having both a psychiatric disorder and a substance use disorder. Studies investigate the availability and effectiveness of treatments for either diagnosis, including symptom severity, substance use, social functioning, quality of life, and also, cognition. What is the evidence for treatments for dual diagnosis? Moderate to high quality evidence quetiapine significantly improved manic symptoms, but not depression symptoms compared to placebo. There were no effects for mania or depression of mood stabilisers, citicoline, or acamprosate compared to placebo. Lower quality evidence from…

Substance use

Medications for dual diagnosis

What is dual diagnosis? Dual diagnosis is the term used for people with both a mental illness like schizophrenia and substance use disorders. Studies targeting this population often investigate outcomes relating to both diagnoses, such as symptoms, substance use, social function, quality of life, and cognitive outcomes. What is the evidence for medications for dual diagnosis? Moderate to low quality evidence suggests olanzapine was superior to perphenazine, quetiapine, risperidone, and ziprasidone for overall symptoms in people with a dual diagnosis. Olanzapine was superior to perphenazine, quetiapine, and ziprasidone for positive symptoms, and olanzapine was superior to perphenazine, risperidone, and ziprasidone…

Substance use

Drug and alcohol use

What is comorbid drug and alcohol use?  Drug and alcohol misuse, abuse or dependence are concerns for people with schizophrenia due to the association with poor clinical and social outcomes, including high rates of suicide, HIV, homelessness, aggression and incarceration. Moreover, substance use places additional burden on patients, families, psychiatric services, and government resources due to high rates of treatment non-adherence and relapse. This topic covers outcomes for people with schizophrenia and comorbid substance use (termed ‘dual diagnosis’). Please also see the topic on rates of comorbid substance use, as well as substance use as a risk factor for schizophrenia. What…

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