Abstract Introduction
UK drug related deaths are at their highest since records began, considerably higher than the rest of Europe. There were 3,744 registered deaths in 2016 and of these, 54% involved heroin. The number of people with co-existing mental health problems within drug treatment is estimated to be between 60-93% yet only 4% of people accessing treatment are estimated to receive integrated substance use disorder and mental health treatment.
Methods
This was a two phase project;1) an analysis of all opioid related deaths in England between 2006 and 2015 recorded in NPSAD was conducted (n=10,461) to identify how many had a recorded co-existing mental health problem diagnosis2) an interpretative phenomological analysis from interviews involving both drug and mental health practitioners regarding attitudes towards treatment of the population.
Results
Diagnosis of co-existing mental health problems was reported to be lower than the prevalence of the general population and significantly lower than expected in opioid users.Where diagnosis was recorded, life expectancy exceeded those without diagnosis by 9.87 months (15-24 group), 2 months (35-44 group), 4.2 months (45-54 group), and 3.1 months (55-64). In two cohorts life expectancy was shortened by 2 months (25-34 group) and 5.4 years (65 and over group).One psychotherapist stated ‘there is no secondary care pathway for substance misuse, if we see them it is by accident'ConclusionThis analyses shows a significant under diagnosis of co-existing mental health problems therefore treatment is unlikely to have included psychological intervention, vital in supporting this vulnerable population. External funding details