Treating Concurrent Disorders: A Guide for Counsellors - Introduction

The study of co-occurring substance use and mental health problems, or concurrent disorders, has emerged as a dynamic space, where knowledge and practice are constantly evolving. This sets the stage for lively debates among researchers, the community of professionals who work in addiction, mental health and concurrent disorders, as well as people who are affected by concurrent disorders: clients and their families. Although concurrent disorders—variously known as dual diagnosis, co-occurring disorders or dual disorders—as a discipline is just over two decades old, many clinicians have been attempting for much longer to provide comprehensive care for clients who have substance use and mental health problems.