Overview of psychiatric comorbidity - Practical and theoretic considerations

Psychiatric comorbidity is a common clinical challenge for addiction therap ists. The clinician is challenged by the assessment as well as the ongoing management of such cases. Stabilization is complicated by the comorbid prob lems. Careful use of psychiatric medications can be helpful and collaborati on with other health care professionals is usually an important aspect of t reatment with this population. There is much evidence that treatment of add iction is cost-effective and some evidence that treatment of dual condition s is also cost-effective.