title: Diagnostic subgroups within a sample of comorbid substance abusers: correlates and characteristics.
abstract: Patients seeking treatment at the Addiction Research Foundation for a substance problem but who also reported psychiatric symptomatology were referred to the Mental Health Unit. Following a clinical psychiatric interview, these patients were categorized into one of six diagnostic subgroups based on the presence of DSM-III-R psychiatric disorders: mood, anxiety, psychotic, organic, Axis-II, and adjustment. A control group of patients referred to the Mental Health Unit but not diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder was also included. These groups were compared on several demographic, substance use, and psychiatric variables. Patients assigned a diagnosis of organic (substance-induced) and Axis II disorders were found to have more severe substance use histories, alcohol-related consequences and longer treatment histories. Patients with a diagnosis of adjustment disorder appeared to be functioning relatively better. Implications of studying the heterogeneity of comorbidity are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Department, Center for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada. tony_toneatto@camh.net
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Toneatto
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Negrete
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Calderwood
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*