The relationship between dual diagnosis: substance misuse and dealing with mental health issues.

Key messages: • The prevalence of co-existing mental health and substance use problems (termed ‘dual diagnosis’) may affect between 30 and 70 per cent of those presenting to health and social care settings. • There is growing awareness of the serious social, psychological and physical complications of the combined use of substances and mental health problems. • Given the multiplicity of social, familial and economic problems associated with dual diagnosis, social workers have a distinctive role to play in multi-agency work. • Interprofessional training and working, encompassing statutory and non-statutory sectors is essential. • Knowledge of screening and assessment for dual diagnosis should be core training elements for health and social care practitioners. The effectiveness of treatment and other interventions is improving. • Service provision should actively engage users and carers from initial assessment to continuity of long-term care. The importance of understanding and working with service user’s experience and perspective cannot be underestimated. • Raising awareness among non-professionals, including carers, can make a major contribution to improved service access and treatment [Note, requires free registration on the SCIE website to view