Issue 26(2)
Journal
of Dual Diagnosis: research and practice in substance abuse comorbidity
(2004). Peter Buckley,
MD, Editor. Haworth Press. 119 pp., $75.00. ISSN # 1550-4263.
Review by: Hillary
Westerhuis, Academic Advisor
USDSU
Sioux Falls , SD
Those of
us who started out in mental health counseling before moving to
academic advising may be familiar with the term "dual diagnoses".
My interest in reviewing the Journal of Dual Diagnoses :
research and practice in substance abuse comorbidity, was not
only for personal interests, but for professional development.
As an advisor I frequently encounter students who self-disclose
or show signs of a mental health issue or substance abuse problem.
How our students effectively deal with their mental health issues
is vital to their successful completion of an education. If I,
as an advisor, become more familiar with dual diagnoses then I
may be better equipped to deal with these students.
The
Journal of Dual Diagnosis is a first of its kind, in
that it deals with the issues of mental health disorder and substance
abuse; dual diagnosis. The journal deals with "all research of
relevance to the comorbidity of drug and alcohol substance abuse
disorders with psychiatric disorders." (pg. 1) The bulk of the
journal looks at different studies completed within the dual diagnoses
field, describing the hypothesis, methodology, results and conclusions
of each.
One
overall thing that I learned reading this journal is that it is
difficult to tell which diagnosis comes first. According to the
authors of one article "it is not always clear whether substance
abuse precedes psychiatric illness or vice versa." (pg. 24)
Although
I found this journal well-written and interesting, the intended
audience is clinicians, psychotherapists and researchers who deal
with diagnosing and treating substance abuse and psychiatric illnesses
on a regular basis. However academic advisors could benefit from
the knowledge that dual diagnoses exist and, indeed are very common.
While there is a complexity of dual diagnosis between drugs and
mental illness, there is treatment available. I know that now
that I am more aware of the existence of dual diagnoses that I
can refer students to professionals or community resources.
I would recommend
this journal to academic advisors or student services personnel
who work with this specific population.
