2006/01/01 by Giuseppe Carrà, Rosangela Scioli, R Scioli +2 · 1 citation
Medicine · #Alcohol Consumption and Health Effects #Schizophrenia research and treatment #Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
paper · doi:10.1159/000090429
openalex publication_date 2006/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/25
Mental health and addiction services have traditionally evolved separately in many European countries, with policy reflecting this. Differences in severity profiles between users of the community addiction services with comorbidities of mental illness and substance misuse and those with substance misuse only were studied using a matched case-control study design, with regard to the main substance (opiates or cocaine) patients were dependent on. Patterns of substance abuse and diagnostic features were evaluated according to the Addiction Severity Index (ASI) and DSM-IV. Mentally ill substance abusers are significantly more likely to have used amphetamines, inhalants and having been polydrug users. They are particularly impaired in medical and family/social relationships ASI composite scores, but less in drug use. Severity profiles and needs of dually diagnosed patients require assessment and treatment skills that should be provided through adequate links with mental health system.