Assessing Dual Diagnosis in an Acute In-Patient Psychiatric Unit

Abstract

Dual diagnosis has been a label used to describe the multiple and complex problems of a population that is characterized by two distinct diagnostic entities. This research explores the use of established assessment instruments to identify possible depression and alcohol abuse or dependence. A sample of 45, non-psychotic persons completed two depression instruments (BDI and Hamilton) and two alcohol instruments (MAST and SAAST). The research also investigates whether the results of these assessments are predictive of the working diagnosis of these individuals in an in-patient treatment unit located in a large urban public hospital. Findings suggest that over 44% of the sample are identified as having possible moderate to severe depression and probable alcoholism. Assessing and recognizing the existence of comorbidity is central to an effective treatment planning process. The inability to recognize and assess all disorders renders successful treatment a magical happening, rather than a directed, empirically-based decision process.

Key Words:

• Dual diagnosis
• depression
• alcohol dependence
• comorbid disorders
• in-patient psychiatric unit
• assessment instruments
• treatment