This book was written for health care professionals in both behavioral health care settings and primary medical health settings who encounter adult patients with mental health, substance use, or dual disorders (i.e., co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders). We provide a comprehensive and practical review of assessment and treatment of the more common adult mental disorders and substance use disorders. Our aim is to provide information that is easy to read and integrate into clinical practice, especially by busy professionals whose time is limited. This book was written in a style that lends itself for easy use by mental health professionals as well as primary medical care professionals.
The chapters were written by highly experienced teams of researcher- practitioners and clinicians from Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic (WPIC), the Department of Psychiatry of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. WPIC is one of the leading research institutions in the world, and the faculty and staff who have contributed to this current treatment guide have extensive experience in developing and managing treatment programs for patients with psychiatric, substance use, and dual disorders, developing clinical models of treatment, providing direct clinical services in a variety of treatment contexts (hospital, partial hospital and ambulatory) and formats (individual, group, and family) teachihing medical itudents, psychiatric residents, and professionals from all other disciplines, and conducting clinical trials of psychosocial and/or pharmacological interventions.
Since our contributors are psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and nurses, we provide a multidisciplinary perspective on the assessment and treatment of mental and substance use disorders. We believe this book provides an excellent integration of the empirical, clinical, and recovery- oriented literature. Current clinical practice demands that clinicians be aware of current research and ways to translate this to the world of direct treatment.
The introductory chapter summarizes mental disorders and substance use disorders (types, causes, symptoms, common adverse effects on the patient, family, and society) and provides an overview of psychosocial and medication treatments, and the continuum of care. Since a major problem in treating patients with mental health or substance use disorders is poor adherence to treatment, considerable attention is given to clinical and systems strategies that can be used to improve patient adherence to treatment. in addition, strategies are presented that can help the health care professional facilitate a referral for treatment in cases where direct service cannot be provided (e.g., a primary care physician referring a depressed or alcohol -dependent patient to a behavioral health specialist; a mental health therapist facilitating a heroin-addicted patient's entry into a detoxification or rehabilitation program; an addictions therapist helping a patient with a psychotic disorder find the appropriate mental health care). Finally, a framework for "recovery" is presented that is applicable to the various types of disorders discussed throughout this book.
The subsequent chapters provide practical information about assessment and treatment of mood, anxiety, psychotic, substance use, eating, and personality disorders. Family issues, relapse prevention, the use of self-help groups, and comorbidity are also addressed throughout this book since many patients have multiple disorders, their families are often adversely affected, and relapse risk is high. In addition, this book integrates considerable information about treatment adherence, and provides the reader with helpful strategies on ways to enhance patient compliance with pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy, as well as strategies for increasing motivation to change.
—Copyright 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Used with permission.
