title: How to treat coexistent mental illness and substance abuse.
abstract: Integration of mental illness and substance abuse treatments is important for patients with "dual diagnosis", the coexistence of an emotional ailment and a chemical dependency. Such comorbidity is usually associated with a poor prognosis. Both disorders require appropriate therapy so that remission of psychiatric symptoms and maintenance of sobriety become reachable goals for these individuals. A joint therapeutic approach improves outcome, functional expectation, and community adjustment.
authors.affiliation: Central State Hospital, Louisville, Ky, USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Velasco
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lippmann
mesh_terms: D015897:Comorbidity; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010351:Patient Discharge; D011379:Prognosis; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000628:therapy*