Helping non-specialist professionals to detect and assist with co-existing mental health and drug and alcohol problems

Background: There is a high prevalence of co-existing mental health and drug and alcohol problems. Many people with these co-existing problems initially present in a range of contexts including the criminal justice system and social care settings relating to housing, relationships, family problems, etc., as opposed to mental health or substance misuse services. A complicating factor is that many people with these co-existing problems do not recognise that they have such problems and do not ask for help. This paper seeks to help workers within such agencies to detect co-existing mental health and drug and alcohol problems, in order to offer help directly or to enable an onward referral. Method: A search of the published English language literature with a focus on screening instruments for mental health and drug and alcohol use problems was performed. Screening instruments were selected which: have some evidence supporting reliability and/or validity when used with people with co-existing problems or in non...