Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/18616
Title: Treating substance abuse and mental health issues as 'mutually-exclusive' entities: Best practice or an outmoded approach to intervention?
Contributor(s): Webber, Adrian  (author); Clark, Jane R  (author); Kelly, David (author)
Publication Date: 2016
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.1111/inm.12202Open Access Link
Handle Link: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/18616
Abstract: Addressing the psychological distress of individuals experiencing substance use disorders has too often been relegated to the 'too hard basket', leaving those affected with little choice but to receive treatments aimed solely at addressing their drug and alcohol issues. Conversely, individuals receiving support for psychological issues are often underdiagnosed with regards to any comorbid substance misuse problems. In fact, to date, no definitive treatment model exists that gives equal focus to the treatment of both psychological well-being and substance-related addictions. This is not to suggest, however, that existing treatment programmes for substance misuse are not impacting positively on clients' mental health, rather that further research is needed in order to determine what it is that is supporting such improvements. The aim of this study, therefore, was to address this imbalance by examining the correlation between substance dependence and psychological well-being. Using a descriptive correlation design, the Severity of Dependence and Kessler 10 scales were administered to 37 inpatient and outpatient clients at a rural drug and alcohol rehabilitation service, at intake and 2 months into treatment. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and paired-samples t-tests. Positive correlative factors of improvement between substance dependence and psychological well-being were found for both groups. In light of these findings, the authors recommend that future research be undertaken to investigate the causal factors for this correlation.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Source of Publication: International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 25(1), p. 27-32
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia
Place of Publication: Australia
ISSN: 1447-0349
1445-8330
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008: 160702 Counselling, Welfare and Community Services
111714 Mental Health
111718 Residential Client Care
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020: 440902 Counselling, wellbeing and community services
420320 Residential client care
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008: 920414 Substance Abuse
920410 Mental Health
920209 Mental Health Services
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020: 200499 Public health (excl. specific population health) not elsewhere classified
200409 Mental health
200305 Mental health services
Peer Reviewed: Yes
HERDC Category Description: C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal
Appears in Collections:Journal Article

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