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Dual diagnosis among veterans in the United States

Cory A. Crane (Department of Biomedical Sciences, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York, USA, AND, Canandaigua Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Canandaigua, New York, USA)
Robert C. Schlauch (Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA)
Caroline J. Easton (Department of Biomedical Sciences, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York, USA)

Advances in Dual Diagnosis

ISSN: 1757-0972

Article publication date: 16 February 2015

346

Abstract

Purpose

Over the course of their service, veterans are exposed to elevated levels of chronic stress that contribute to a greater prevalence of mental illness than observed in the general population. When mental illness is present, comorbidity is normative. Convergent evidence suggests that co-occurring substance use and mental illness is among the most prevalent forms of comorbidity within veteran samples. The purpose of this paper is to explore issues associated with dual diagnoses among veterans in the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

Research on dual diagnoses among veterans was reviewed and consolidated for presentation into three substantive content areas consisting of prevalence, associated conditions, and treatment of dual diagnoses.

Findings

Dually diagnosed veterans represent a group at particularly high risk for myriad adverse biopsychosocial and treatment outcomes, including poor health, suicidality, violence or aggressive behavior, arrest, homelessness, and unemployment. A comprehensive strategy has been implemented within the Veterans Health Administration to address dual diagnosis and related problems. Additional research is required to more readily identify co-occurring substance use and mental illness and to refine integrated intervention approaches to minimize burden while improving treatment outcomes for veterans and their families.

Originality/value

The current review includes a wide range of research spanning more than two decades and describing dual diagnosis among combat veterans of all modern eras. Areas in need of further research (e.g. dual diagnosis among female veterans; early detection of psychopathology and fully integrated care among returning veterans) are identified and discussed.

Keywords

Citation

Crane, C.A., Schlauch, R.C. and Easton, C.J. (2015), "Dual diagnosis among veterans in the United States", Advances in Dual Diagnosis, Vol. 8 No. 1, pp. 4-17. https://doi.org/10.1108/ADD-09-2014-0035

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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