Standardized drug and alcohol questions at admission to an acute adult mental health unit: clarifying the burden of dual diagnoses across a five-year period

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 270-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Reilly ◽  
Brett McDermott ◽  
John Dillon
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Dual Diagnosis ◽  
Electronic Records ◽  
Health Unit ◽  
Secondary Substance ◽  
Dual Diagnoses ◽  
Mental Health Unit ◽  
Drug And Alcohol

Objectives: We aimed to report substance use across a five-year period in individuals admitted to an acute mental health unit, utilizing data from a routine clinical measure, diagnoses, and findings related to gender, ethnicity and the implementation of a new dual-diagnosis policy. Methods: Data was extracted from the electronic records of 2118 individuals who had consecutive admissions to the acute inpatient unit. Analysis focused on demographic and diagnosis variables and the drug and alcohol question in the Health of the Nations Outcome Scale. Results: Some 57.6% of the sample was in the at-risk drug and alcohol category. Male and indigenous inpatients were most at risk. More than 50% of patients with schizophrenia, anxiety and personality disorders were deemed at-risk. Following implementation of the dual-diagnosis policy, recorded primary and secondary substance use disorder (SUD) diagnoses significantly increased. Conclusions: The study replicated previous findings of a high proportion of patients with co-morbid drug and alcohol use. In this sample it seems likely that the dual-diagnosis policy and related activities increased the rate of SUD diagnoses recorded, although it is likely to still be under-reported.

The Reliability of Reports of Recent Psychoactive Substance Use at the Time of Admission to an Acute Mental Health Unit

2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 392-403 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rhoderic K. Chung ◽  
Matthew M. Large ◽  
Graham A. Starmer ◽  
Bruce N. Tattam ◽  
Michael B. Paton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Health Unit ◽  
Psychoactive Substance ◽  
Psychoactive Substance Use ◽  
Time Of Admission ◽  
Mental Health Unit

Prisoners With a Substance Use Disorder and a Mental Illness

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate Dolan ◽  
Michael Farrell ◽  
Sahar Saeedi Moghaddam
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Substance Use Disorders ◽  
Dual Diagnosis ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Access To Health Services ◽  
Prison Health ◽  
Dual Diagnoses ◽  
The Impact

Globally more than 10 million people are held in prisons on any given day, giving an imprisonment rate of 144 per 100,000 population. Clear evidence indicates that the burden of substance use disorders and mental illnesses is much higher among prisoners than among the general population. The co-occurrence of these two conditions is termed dual diagnosis. The high occurrence of multiple disorders is a critical challenge for the prison health system and, regrettably, most prisoners have inadequate access to health services, particularly mental health services while in custody. This chapter explores the prevalence, incidence, and effective treatment of substance use, mental disorders, and dual diagnosis among prison populations around the world. The impact of imprisonment on drug use and mental health is discussed, and gaps in knowledge and practice are highlighted. Recommendations for future approaches to addressing substance use disorders, mental illnesses, and dual diagnoses among prisoners and detainees are explored.

Descriptive Study of Adjustment Disorders in a Mental Health Unit.

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S607-S607
Author(s):  
L. González ◽  
B. Pecino ◽  
C. Gomez ◽  
M. Anibarro ◽  
C. Ortigosa
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Care Physician ◽  
Psychiatric Evaluation ◽  
Adjustment Disorders ◽  
Health Unit ◽  
Social Difficulties ◽  
Current Employment Status ◽  
Competing Interest ◽  
Mental Health Unit

IntroductionAdjustment disorders are a common psychiatric disorder in primary care and mental health units, with point prevalence estimates ranging from 0.9% to 2.3%. These disorders have been recently defined as a stress response syndrome in the fifth edition of the DSM, causing emotional and social difficulties and also a large economic burden on society.ObjectivesThe aim of this descriptional study was to analyse the socio-demographic characteristics and treatment of the patients diagnosed with adjustment disorders in the first visit in a mental health unit.MethodsThe study sample consisted of 128 patients admitted for a psychiatric consultation in a mental health unit in Alicante (Spain) from their primary care physician, between February and July 2016. Variables of gender, age, current employment status, diagnosis and treatment were measured. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS software.ResultsThe data from 31 patients who were diagnosed with adjustment disorders meant a 24% of the sample. The median age was 47 years old in the adjustment disorders group. Among those with adjustment disorders, 61% were women, and 52% of them were unemployed. Almost 60% of them had at least one pychotropic prescription and only 22% were derived to psychology.ConclusionsAdjustment disorders are considered as an intermediate category between no mental disorder and affective disorders. Most authors recommend to start with a psychotherapeutic intervention. Despite starting with medication has not proved effectiveness in the studies, most of the patients had at least one psychotropic prescription before the psychiatric evaluation.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document