Standardized drug and alcohol questions at admission to an acute adult mental health unit: clarifying the burden of dual diagnoses across a five-year period

Abstract

Objectives: We aimed to report substance use across a five-year period in individuals admitted to an acute mental health unit, utilizing data from a routine clinical measure, diagnoses, and findings related to gender, ethnicity and the implementation of a new dual-diagnosis policy. Methods: Data was extracted from the electronic records of 2118 individuals who had consecutive admissions to the acute inpatient unit. Analysis focused on demographic and diagnosis variables and the drug and alcohol question in the Health of the Nations Outcome Scale. Results: Some 57.6% of the sample was in the at-risk drug and alcohol category. Male and indigenous inpatients were most at risk. More than 50% of patients with schizophrenia, anxiety and personality disorders were deemed at-risk. Following implementation of the dual-diagnosis policy, recorded primary and secondary substance use disorder (SUD) diagnoses significantly increased. Conclusions: The study replicated previous findings of a high proportion of patients with co-morbid drug and alcohol use. In this sample it seems likely that the dual-diagnosis policy and related activities increased the rate of SUD diagnoses recorded, although it is likely to still be under-reported.