The dilemma of comorbidity

People with substance abuse problems may also have some form of mental illness. This is called to suffer from comorbidity. Previous research shows the importance of that these individuals get help and support for both problems at the same time. People that suffer from comorbidity are at greater risk of falling outside the care facilities of institutions and this is why collaboration between different institutions is of high importance. The aim of this study was to examine how former clients with experience of comorbidity have experienced the help and services they have been assigned. This in order to understand the clients' perspectives on the work of the professionals and gain a deeper knowledge of how the clients' empowerment can be expressed in the meeting with the professionals. The empirical material consists of seven semi-structured interviews with individuals with experience of comorbidity. The material was analysed thematically and met with a theoretical framework consisting of stigma, self-determination and power. The results of the study show that people with comorbidity, that have both substance abuse and mental illness, often only get help with one of the problems and not both at the same time. The study shows that this may be caused by the substance abuse hiding the mental health problems. The results also shows that it is of importance in how the professionals act in relation to the clients. Significant aspects have proven to be understanding and trust. It is important that clients get empowerment and the authority to influence their care and service. The study also shows that the former clients have experienced stigma which also is one of the theories we chose to use to analyse the results of the study