ABSTRACT
Globally, there is broad recognition of the increase in the number of mentally ill patients who misuse psychoactive substances. Alcohol and drug problems are associated with depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia and personality disorders amongst others. The relationship between substance misuse and mental health problems is complex. Intoxication and withdrawal from drugs and alcohol can produce psychiatric symptoms while on the other hand some individuals with psychiatric disorders such as antisocial personality disorders and schizophrenia are more susceptible to substance misuse. Individuals with the combination of mental health problems and substance misuse often have a lot of additional difficulties which are not purely medical, psychological or psychiatric. The mental state of the individual may act as a barrier to recognition as some patients may not be able to understand the nature of the symptoms they experience. Even when substance misuse is identified it is often difficult to distinguish between symptoms that are related to substance misuse or a psychiatric disorder. Failure to recognise and treat substance misuse and/or mental health problems at an early stage will not only lead to ineffective management and treatment outcomes, but may also result in deterioration of the patient’s symptomatology.
