One-year follow-up of secondary versus primary mental disorder in persons with comorbid substance use disorders.

OBJECTIVE

Service utilization and outcomes of dually diagnosed patients with independent mental disorders and those with substance-induced mental disorders were compared.

METHOD

Diagnosis, service use, and severity of substance use problems at baseline and 1 year later were assessed in consecutively admitted inpatients with independent mental disorders plus substance use disorders (N = 71), substance-induced mental disorders plus substance use disorders (N = 38), and independent mental disorders only (N = 59).

RESULTS

At follow-up, patients with substance-induced mental disorders at baseline were more likely to have been rehospitalized than the other groups, were more likely to have used outpatient substance abuse services, were less likely to have an independent mental disorder, and had the most severe alcohol- and drug-related impairment.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment programs for both types of dual diagnosis patients must address mental health concerns.