[Dual diagnosis: actual situation and future prospects]

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Addiction Medicine
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Dual diagnosis involves the co-occurrence of substance use disorders (SUDs) and other psychiatric disorders.
• Individuals with dual diagnosis exhibit greater clinical and social severity compared to those with single disorders.

Discussion:

• Current epidemiological, clinical, and therapeutic perspectives on dual diagnosis are reviewed.
• Challenges include nosological characterization, developing screening tools, and effective treatment strategies.

Key Insights:

• Integrated care by a single team within a unified mental health and addiction network is crucial.
• Pharmacological and psychological therapeutic strategies need development.
• Improved understanding of psychopathological symptoms in conjunction with substance use is essential.

Outlook:

• Future efforts must focus on enhancing nosological understanding and creating validated clinical screening instruments.
• Developing integrated care models and specialized training for health professionals is paramount.
• Advancing evidence-based pharmacological and psychological interventions will improve outcomes for dual diagnosis patients.