A recent study revealed that most health care professionals perceive a low commitment among patients with dual diagnoses — a person who has a mood disorder, such as manic depression, and substance use disorder to drugs and/or alcohol.
The Spanish researchers who led the study believed there was a need to assess professionals’ perceptions regarding repercussions associated with the lack of therapeutic commitment and progress in those with co-occurring disorders.
About 70 percent of people who are diagnosed with a substance dependence will exhibit a psychiatric disorder in their lifetime, and 50 percent of those with a mental health issue will have a history of drug use in their lives. The prevalence rate of substance use disorders alongside mental health disorders varies between 25 and 75 percent within the Spaniard population, according to data cited in the study.
A total of 250 professionals from health care centers participated in an online survey provided by the Spanish Scientific Society for Research on Alcohol, Alcoholism and other Drug Addictions and the Spanish Society of Dual Pathology.
The professionals worked in various kinds of Spanish health care facilities where dual diagnosis patients are aided: outpatient rehab clinics (47.2 percent), mental health centers (25.2 percent), psychiatric hospitalization facilities (11.2 percent), inpatient rehab clinics (7.2 percent), private centers (6.8 percent) and primary care facilities (2.4 percent). Fifty-four percent were women and 90 percent were Spaniards — about 60 percent of them were 45 years or older.
Just over 52 percent of the health care professionals had at least 15 years of clinical experience. Most of them, just over 67 percent, were employed in specialized addiction care facilities when they engaged in the study. Also, most of them, just over 68 percent, were from scientific societies, mostly from the Spanish Society of Gastroenterology (56.6 percent) and Socidrogalcohol (20.1 percent).
Nearly all of them, 99 percent, felt that… (continue reading)
Author: Cesar Gamboa
Cesar Gamboa is a staff reporter and editor for Addiction Now covering topics ranging from legislation to scientific studies. He was previously a general assignment reporter for the Orange County Register. SoCal raised, lover of books, and avid mountain biker (when he wants to be). He can be reached at cesarg@addictionnow.com.
