Research Article
Prodromou M and Koukia E
Abstract
Dual diagnosis is a commonly observed phenomenon in units addressing mental health and substance use problems. The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in psychopathology between patients with dual diagnosis receiving treatment for mental disorders in mental health services and those receiving treatment for substance use disorders in substance use treatment programs and to suggest possible predictive factors affecting symptoms of psychopathology. Participants were 80 individuals with dual diagnosis receiving treatment either for substance use disorders or for mental disorders in substance use treatment programs, emergency units, psychiatric hospitals and mental health rehabilitation units across Cyprus. The EuropASI and the SCL-90-R were administered individually to each one of the participants. Results revealed that patients with dual diagnosis receiving treatment in mental health services demonstrated higher symptoms of psychopathology regarding obsession-compulsion, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, paranoid ideation and psychotism, in comparison to those receiving treatment in substance use treatment programs. Mental health service patients also exhibited higher severity of symptoms and higher distress because of the positive symptoms. Cannabis use in the last 30 days predicted higher levels of depression, anxiety, paranoid ideation and psychoticism, but lower GSI. Practical applications are analyzed.