Overview of psychiatric comorbidity. Practical and theoretic considerations

Psychiatric comorbidity is a common clinical challenge for addiction therapists. The clinician is challenged by the assessment as well as the ongoing management of such cases. Stabilization is complicated by the comorbid problems. Careful use of psychiatric medications can be helpful and collaboration with other health care professionals is usually an important aspect of treatment with this population. There is much evidence that treatment of addiction is cost-effective and some evidence that treatment of dual conditions is also cost-effective.