Tool For Identification, Diagnosis And Early Intervention For Mental Disorders Among Persons With Substance Use Disorders: Status Update And Presentation of Research Findings

This presentation will be featured at Indonesia 2025, on the 18.09.2025.

Authors:

Yatan Pal Singh Balhara - Professor of Psychiatry, National Drug Dependence TreatmentCentre (NDDTC), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India. 

Siddharth Sarkar - Professor of Psychiatry, National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India.

Yashita Ahluwalia, Research Associate, National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India.

Abstract:

Background

Co- occurring mental disorders is a major contributor to the burden associated with substance use disorders. Presence of a co- occurring mental disorders among persons with substance use disorders poses challenges to the addiction professionals. It is imperative to develop a validate tool for identification, diagnosis and early intervention for mental disorders among persons with substance use disorders.

Objectives

The objective of the current study is to develop a tool for identification, diagnosis and early intervention for mental disorders co- occurring with addictive disorders.

Material and Methods

The proposed tool for identification, diagnosis and early intervention for the co-occurring mental disorders among persons with addictive disorders has been developed as an easy to access and free to use instrument. The tool has been developed in English language.

The study has been carried out in two phases. The phase I of the study used literature search, focused group discussion (FGD) and questionnaire-based feedback from the mental health professionals to develop the tool. The phase II of the study was targeted at testing the psychometric properties of the tool using a longitudinal, observational study design. A set of validated, instruments shall be used for the purpose of assessment. In addition, qualified and credentialed psychiatrists shall also be engaged in the process of validation of the tool. The tool has been validated among clinical population with mental disorders co-occurring with substance use disorders.

Results and Conclusions

The findings of the research project shall be presented. These include the process of the development of the tool, the item structure of the tool. Also the data from the subjects recruited for the project shall also be presented.

Some of the commonly observed cases of mental disorder included Schizophrenia (15), Substance-Induced Psychotic Disorder (6), Brief Psychotic Disorder (1), Delusional Disorder (2), Other Specified Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorder (2), Unspecified Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorder (2), Major Depressive Disorder (5), Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent Episode (1), Adjustment Disorder (2).

The most commonly used substance use disorders included- Alcohol (30), Tobacco (50), Opioids (17), Cannabis (32).