[Shortage of supported housing for patients with mental disorder and substance abuse].
BACKGROUND
Some patients with comorbidity of severe mental illness and substance abuse--often called patients with dual diagnosis--are in need of supported housing. The extent of this need was one of the aspects of a survey conducted by the Norwegian Board of Health in 1999. Findings concerning housing from one part of the survey, which included inpatients in psychiatric hospitals and clinics, are presented in this paper.


METHODS
The survey was performed as a cross-sectional study of 310 dually diagnosed inpatients in Norwegian psychiatric institutions on 27 January 1999. Their housing at the time of admission, planned housing at discharge and ideal housing in the opinion of the clinician who knew the patient best--mainly a psychiatrist--were registered.


RESULTS
At admission, 3% were living in supported housing, while such housing was planned for 10% on discharge. However, clinicians evaluated that 43% ideally were in need of supported housing, most of them with support at daytime, but a substantial number needed support night and day.


CONCLUSIONS
The need for supported housing for patients with dual diagnosis is of significant magnitude and represents a challenge for communities as well as psychiatric services.
Kielland
Knut Boe
KB
Østnorsk kompetansesenter for rusrelaterte spØrsmål, Sanderud sykehus, 2312 Ottestad. knut.boe.kielland@eunet.no
D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); D005260:Female; D006208:Halfway Houses / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D009664:Norway; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D012114:Residential Treatment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*