Comorbid mental health conditions
The primary goal of drug treatment services is to address
clients’ drug use. However, in order to do so effectively, drug
Treatment staff must take into account the broad range of
issues clients present with, including their mental health.
The high prevalence of comorbidity among drug users
Presenting to drug treatment services (see section 1.4.3)
means that drug treatment staff are frequently faced with
the need to manage complex psychiatric symptoms or problems, which may interfere with
their ability to treat clients’ drug use. As such, it is important that all drug treatment staff are
aware of the mental health symptoms that clients commonly present with, and are aware
how to manage these symptoms.