Complicated dual diagnosis: a case for physician involvement in addictions treatment

Despite the high prevalence of substance use disorders, the prevention and treatment of such illnesses seem to receive little attention during physician training. This provides cause for concern, as physician involvement in addiction treatment has been relatively sparse. We present the case of a patient whose successful treatment likely relied upon her physicians' intensive training in each of the biological, psychological, and social aspects of her clinical presentation. The case illustrates the need for added emphasis on the assessment and treatment of addictive disorders during medical training, and for more active physician involvement in addictions treatment.