RESUMEN
AIM: to analyze the Quality of Life Concept, is which currently used in drug addiction. We reviewed the studies published until April 2010, using two international databases: PubMed (key words: quality of life, addiction, drug dependence and dual diagnosis) and the Web of Knowledge (search by author). We identified 479 papers on quality of life and drugs abuse, of which were on: quality of life and addictions (433) and quality of life and dual pathology (37). RESULTS: the quality of life concept has evolved, from the forties decade till the present time, remains controversial and still subject to change. Most authors accept the multidimensionality of the quality of life concept, that includes the physical/biological, psychological and social dimension. Currently the patient's satisfaction concept is emerging. On the other hand, it is known that there are discrepancies in the patient's and therapist's view on the patient's quality of life, especially in dually diagnosed patients. CONCLUSIONS: The conceptual study of the quality of life is important. Quality of life components, as the perception of the disease, have been associated with treatment adherence and the disease's progress. For the previous reasons we believe. Quality of Life should be included in the regular evaluation.