Dual Diagnosis: a Case Control Study, 1999-2000

Individuals with comorbid substance misuse and mental health problems are often the most vulnerable and socially excluded members of society. This retrospective case control study collected data on socio-economic and deprivation factors and service use of clients with and without comorbid mental health and substance misuse problems. These were clients of Adult Mental Health (AMH) and specialist Drug and Alcohol Services (DAS) engaged with a mental health trust in East Anglia in 1999-2000. The study aimed to provide information on the characteristics of those with comorbid mental health and substance misuse problems to enable local services to identify 'vulnerable clients' and to plan appropriate interventions and provision for this group. The study used data collected from medical records to construct an anonymised database of a sample of comorbid clients and also of two control groups, one of individuals with a substance misuse problem only and one of individuals with a mental health problem only. This database was then used to identify differences between comorbid individuals and those with a drug or alcohol problem only and those with a mental health problem only, with a particular emphasis on socio-economic characteristics and service use.