Dual disorders: clients suffering from psychiatric disorders and alcohol or drug abuse disorders.
If home care providers are to be diligent in assessing the total well-being of their clients, they need to assess for dual disorders (DDs), a co-occurrence (comorbidity) of psychiatric disorders and alcohol or other drug disorders (AODDs). Table 1 lists acronyms for different types of DDs. Home care clients who suffer from depression and other mental health problems are not uncommon, nor are clients who suffer from AODDs. What health professionals often do not realize, however, is that clients may be suffering from both. Failure to effectively treat clients' DDs will negatively affect their recovery. Their DD may be causing or contributing to their physical problems and affecting their judgment, motivation, and insight into their problems.
Department of Nursing, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA 95521, USA.
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D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000451:nursing*; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000451:nursing*