Substance Misuse Assessment in Mental Health Services: The Importance of Professional Curiosity

Co-morbidity of mental health and substance misuse problems (or “Dual Diagnosis”) is highly prevalent in mental health and drug treatment services. A report commissioned by the Department of Health and NTA (National Treatment Agency) in 2002 found that 44 per cent of mental health service users either reported drug use or had used alcohol at hazardous or harmful levels in the past year.