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Abstract
Background: Τhe prevalence of comorbidity is high among outpatients in rehabilitation centres and in psychiatric clinics.
Aims: To investigate the level and type of comorbid psychiatric disorder and substance use disorder among inpatients of a psychiatric clinic in a public psychiatric hospital in an urban area in Greece, and to distinguish the characteristics of the dual diagnosis population, in order to help develop specialised services.
Method: All patients admitted over a 12-month period were given the CAGE questionnaire and part of the EUROPASI questionnaire addressing substance use. This was followed by a diagnostic interview to establish the final diagnosis in accordance with the DSM-IV criteria.
Results: A total of 313 patients were assessed. Present substance use disorder was identified in 102 individuals (32.6%), and involved one substance in 70 cases (68.6%) and more than one in 32 cases (31.4%). The principal substances involved in addiction or abuse were alcohol, cannabis, benzodiazepines and opiates. Comorbid patients were chiefly young men who had been committed and who were diagnosed as suffering from Other Psychotic Disorders and Cluster B Personality Disorders.
Conclusions: The chief characteristics of the dual diagnosis population must be taken into account in planning integrated treatment programs for these patients, so staff will have the appropriate training to be able to meet these particular needs.