Community and Public Health Programs
Co-Morbidity Research
Often patients seek help with a combination of mental health and substance abuse issues. These individuals are identified as having "co-morbidity." Another term often used to describe complex conditions such as these is "dual diagnosis." Treatment has to take into account the whole nature of the person's experience as well as the interactions of pathological aspects. The Division is engaged in a variety of research initiatives to identify the best ways to treat patients with co-morbidity.
The Division's Vincent P. Dole Treatment and Research Institute employs a multidisciplinary staff that provides treatment services to adolescents and adults of all ages. Division faculty and staff have published an article (Heroin Addiction and Related Clinical Problems 2007; 9(1):25-34) describing the treatment philosophy and research efforts of the program in helping opioid dependent patients, many of whom also have other mental health concerns. The article is titled "The Vincent P. Dole Research and Treatment Institute for Opiate Dependence: An Integrated Biopsychosocial Model for the Treatment of Methadone Maintained Patients." (Curet, E., Beeder A.B., Joseph H., Alexander K., Schamisso C., Rodriguez H.) The paper describes the treatment model used by the clinics to provide services to a population of opiate addicted patients who are also diagnosed with chronic psychiatric and medical illnesses.
