DUAL PATHOLOGY

The co-occurrence of substance use disorders (addiction) and mental health disorders constitutes a serious challenge in psychiatric practice, not only because of its frequency, but also because of the difficulties it poses for its diagnosis and treatment. Recently, this issue has taken on special importance and debate in the field of mental health because it has gone from being an eventuality to becoming the most common pattern of demand for care in substance use treatment facilities.

Key features:

• An up-to-date, easy-to-read manual with a multidisciplinary approach that provides detailed recommendations on the treatment of dual-diagnosis patients to improve the quality of care provided.
• Covers the basic notions of dual pathology as a clinical entity, as well as its management in professional practice.
• Reviews the scientific literature on essential aspects, facilitating understanding and appropriate guidance of cases, based on evidence, expert consensus, and documented good practices.

Dual Pathology: Recommendations for Improving the Quality of Care is an essential reference for those in psychiatry and other mental health-related disciplines who work to reduce the health and social impact of substance use problems, whether from clinical practice, teaching, or research.

Homero Indalecio Carrera Machado, Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Santiago de Compostela. Specialist Physician Area, Drug Addiction Care Unit (ACLAD), A Coruña. Spain.

Luis Isidoro Alfonzo Bello, Former Regional Advisor on Substance Use for PAHO/WHO and CICAD/OAS, Washington DC, USA.

Adelino Fernando Vale Ferreira, Manager, Drug Addiction Prevention Commission of Porto, Portugal.