Behavioural correlates of dual diagnosis among women in treatment for substance abuse

Abstract

While co-occurring disorders induced by mental illness and substance use can be debilitating, prioritizing care for such dually diagnosed individuals remain challenging. Determinants of dual diagnosis among women (n = 299) were examined in a substance-use treatment facility in Midwestern United States. Participants were mostly <40 years old, with histories of unemployment, trauma, and criminal justice involvement. One-third of the participants met DSM-IV criteria for dual diagnosis. Assessments included the Addiction Severity Index, and self-reported risky sexual behaviors. Binary logistic regression analyses revealed transactional sex, lower score on Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) and low family and social support to be predictive of higher likelihood of dual diagnosis. Practice, policy and research implications are suggestive of holistic and integrated mental health treatment intervention plans for this population.

Keywords:

• dual diagnosis
• women
• substance use
• mental health