The Addiction Psychiatrist as Dual Diagnosis Physician: A Profession in Great Need and Greatly Needed.

ABSTRACT

Addiction is the number one cause of premature illness and death in the U.S., especially among people with mental illness. Yet American medicine lacks sufficient workforce capacity, expertise, training, infrastructure, and research to support treatment for people with co-occurring addictions and mental illness. This essay argues that the addiction psychiatrist is essential in dual diagnosis care.