Attitudes of mental health professionals to co-morbidity between mental health problems and substance misuse

Abstract

Mental health professionals are required to address the increasing problem of alcohol and substance misuse amongst the mentally ill (co-morbidity) at a time when services for this population are under review. A questionnaire addressing attitudes to co-morbidity and professional roles was sent to 189 mental health professionals in Bristol. Response rate was 67%. There were significant differences (by ANOVA) in attitudes between professional groups in all but one of the core areas appraised. Post-hoc analysis showed the attitudes of doctors and social workers to be significantly different from other professionals, and diametrically opposed. Occupational therapists and physiotherapists rated themselves as having less of a role in the management of co-morbidity than other disciplines. Mental health nurses differed from other professions (except doctors) only in their attitudes to drug screening. Psychologists indicated greater therapeutic optimism. Ninety-one per cent expressed a need for specialist training. The findings argue for a re-appraisal of the way in which multi-disciplinary teams are trained to deal with the problems of alcohol and drug misuse.