title: Dual diagnosis patients: substance abuse by the severely mentally ill.
abstract: Drug and alcohol abuse is a common problem among patients who are severely mentally ill. It is associated with frequent and serious complications and yet is often overlooked by clinicians. In this article the literature on dual diagnosis patients is reviewed, the complications of and reasons for substance abuse are examined, and recommendations for management are made.
authors.affiliation: Fromeside Clinic, Bristol.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hucker
mesh_terms: D015897:Comorbidity; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy