The term dual diagnosis is a common, broad term that indicates the simultaneous presence of two independent medical disorders. Recently, within the fields of mental health, psychiatry, and addiction medicine, the term has been popularly used to describe the coexistence of a mental health disorder and alcohol and other drug (AOD) problems. The equivalent phrase dual disorders also denote the coexistence of two independent (but invariably interactive) disorders and are used interchangeably here with dual diagnosis.
http://www.phc-inc.com/dual.asp
The anxiety disorder classification embraces posttraumatic stress disorder veterans who present for treatment with dual diagnoses. Opiate dependence has been strongly linked to conduct disorder and/or antisocial personality disorder while alcohol dependence has been strongly associated with bipolar illness and schizophrenia. Individuals with bi-polar disorders are 7 times as likely as members of the general population to develop alcoholism problems. (Vans, Katie, Sullivan, J. Michael, 1990).
There appear to be connections between attention deficit disorder and stimulant dependence, although the literature on this issue is inconsistent at present. Literature on attention deficit disorder (ADD) lists drug taking or alcohol abuse as common behaviors among adolescents with ADD, without clear cut linkage or causality demonstrated in a consistent fashion.
Contrary to popular belief, there is no empirical support for the "addictive personality." Persons with substance use disorders often have dependent personality traits, which are probably secondary to the patterns and habits of substance use.
Two perspectives dominate the thinking about mental health disorders linked with substance use. The first view of secondary psychopathology is very much part of the tradition of self-help groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous which is supported by research data. This view postulates that the psychotoxic effects of substances like alcohol, cocaine, and benzodiazepines cause most of the psychopathology seen in substance abusing persons.........
