ABSTRACT
The co-occurrence of substance use and mental health across the Australian population is very common. You will know people with these issues in your personal and professional life. In order to be effective, workers need to develop knowledge, confidence and skills in this area so that service user and carer needs are appropriately addressed. The basic principles of a dual diagnosis approach can be grasped early in practice and aligns with social work practice principles. When working with people with substance use and mental health issues, we need to be aware that stigma compounds both areas. This chapter outlines a dual diagnosis approach and provides examples based on practice wisdom from the field over many decades.
