ADDICTION PSYCHIATRY SERVICE

Mental illness is closely related to substance use, as the risk for addiction with persons with mental illness is significantly higher. For example, in smoking initiated after depression. Therefore, early detection of mental illness could stave off the development of addictions.

Substance use and mental health issues vary in their degree of harm and severity. For example, some people have a substance use issue in which non-medical use of even small amounts of a psychoactive substance can harm their mental health; other people’s substance use issues fit into an abuse or dependence diagnosis. Mental health issues include those of people living with a mild or moderate mental illness (non-severe mental illness) as well as of people living with a severe mental illness.

There are high rates of anxiety disorders and mood disorders in the general population; these combined with a substance use disorder are the most common concurrent disorders. In contrast, the rates of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are much lower in the general population, but having one of these disorders carries a higher risk of having a concurrent substance use disorder (Skinner et al., 2004).

Effects on Families:

When one family member is living with concurrent disorders, it has a profound effect on the family. This effect can be compounded when other family members also have a substance use and/or mental health problem, a situation that may affect some families over several generations. In such situations, people living with concurrent disorders, and their family members, may not know where to turn for help.

Involvement of pediatricians and family physicians might help facilitate early detection and intervention in children and adolescents. Screening for substance abuse may help physicians treat diseases affected by concomitant drug use.

Physicians, psychologists, nurses and other staff should have minimal training in addiction.

Who can benefit?

Students, staff, and other people with concurrent substance use and mental health issues and their family members will have access to comprehensive, integrated, evidence based and consistently monitored services that are directed toward improving the persons’ quality of life as defined by the individual.

Assessment and Treatment:

Early identification and treatment of people showing early signs and symptoms of concurrent substance use and mental health concerns allows services to provide prompt assessment, treatment and support, which may reduce the duration of untreated illness.

Comprehensive assessment, treatment planning and referral includes 
the use of standardized questions or instruments to screen for concurrent substance use or mental health issues. If problems are identified, comprehensive, integrated assessment (including specialized psychological or psychiatric assessment) and treatment planning can be done either in-house or through referral to other centers if needed.