ONE-YEAR FOLLOW-UP OF SECONDARY VERSUS PRIMARY MENTAL DISORDER IN PERSONS WISH COMORBID SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS

Objective: Service utilization and outcomes of dually diagnosed patien ts with independent mental disorders and those with substance-induced mental disorders were compared. Method: Diagnosis, service use, and se verity of substance use problems at baseline and 1 year later were ass essed in consecutively admitted inpatients with independent mental dis orders plus substance use disorders (N=81), substance-induced mental d isorders plus substance use disorders (N=38), and independent mental d isorders only (N=59). Results: At follow-up, patients with substance-i nduced mental disorders at baseline were more likely to have been reho spitalized than the other groups, were more likely to have used outpat ient substance abuse services, were less likely to have an independent mental disorder, and had the most severe alcohol- and drug-related im pairment. Conclusions: Treatment programs for both types of dual diagn osis patients must address mental health concerns.