Comorbid mental illness and substance-related disorders—commonly known as co-occurring disorders (COD) or dual diagnosis—present difficult treatment problems. Clients with COD are extremely heterogeneous with respect to type and severity of illness, personal skills, and available care networks. Those who are homeless may be at increased risk for exacerbated illness due to limited treatment access and lack of personal supports. The following articles discuss current scientific understanding of these frequently comorbid conditions and describe therapeutic interventions used by providers serving homeless clients who experience them concurrently.
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Clinical Practice, Conditions and Issues, Healing Hands Newsletter, Mental Illness