Author Description

This book provides a comprehensive, state of the art overview covering both the diagnosis and the treatment of dual disorders - joint psychiatric and substance use disorders - in a way that is highly relevant to clinical work and the organization of care systems. It is designed to meet the real need for a European perspective on dual disorders, taking into account the realities of European treatment organization. All chapters have been written by European authors on the basis of existing European treatment programs or guidelines and European research. Dual disorders are increasingly encountered by health professionals working in mental health and addiction care, and they represent a formidable challenge for caregivers, care organizations, and society as a whole. During the past decade, various approaches and programs have been designed to challenge the traditional gap between addiction treatment and mental health care. The overwhelming majority of the programs, however, have emanated from the United States. Given the vast differences between the European and U.S. health contexts, it can be questioned whether these American-oriented treatment programs are of value in European countries. Co-occurring Addictive and Psychiatric Disorders - A Practice-Based Handbook from a European Perspective therefore represents a timely and much-needed addition to literature on the subject.