Alcoholism and mental illness: overlapping diseases requiring a renewed focus

Abstract

Alcohol addiction and psychiatric disorders frequently occur together, and individuals affected by both conditions represent a unique patient population in need of specialized treatment. Decades of research have pointed to promising prospective therapeutic options, yet no standardized diagnostic measures or treatment regimens are available for clinicians or their patients. As a result, patients with both alcohol abuse and mental disorders frequently do not receive specialized treatment that addresses both conditions. Moreover, a great deal of research regarding alcohol use disorder treatment has failed to include patients with co-occurring mental illnesses. To address this serious public health concern, a renewed focus on large-scale trials is required to examine the benefits of various therapeutic practices and delivery methods in the mentally ill, alcohol-dependent population. This commentary will provide a brief overview of the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges associated with treating dually diagnosed individuals, the state of current research strategies, and a potential roadmap for improving the future of research in this field.

Keywords:

• alcohol use
• mental health
• comorbidity
• intervention
• dual diagnosis