BHT’s substance misuse trainer Scott Henery shares some of the common misconceptions about Dual Diagnosis, as well as some facts you may not be aware of.
All answers are at the bottom of the page. Book onto BHT’s Dual Diagnosis training on 21 & 22 April where these answers will be explored more fully.
1. Cannabis causes psychotic illness
Myth or fact?
2. Most female heroin users are prostitutes
MYTH. Although it is true that many women who are involved in the street sex industry also take drugs – it is not a straightforward relationship. Well-off heroin users rarely turn to street sex work to fund their drug use. Also consider that being in the sex industry may cause women to turn to numbing drugs to cope with the job
3. There is a clear relationship between rates of problematic substance use and levels of deprivation
Myth or fact?
4. There is a clear relationship between rates of mental illness and levels of deprivation
FACT. The association between rates of mental illness and population characteristics such as poverty, unemployment and social isolation is well established.
5. Alcohol may trigger a psychotic illness
Myth or fact?
6. Cannabis may cause dependence
FACT. This has been noted by the ACMD. There is a growing body if evidence that is related to the changing proportions of CBD and THC in cannabis, with the former offering some protection against dependence.
7. Drug use is more common among the LGBT community than the general population
Myth or fact?
8. Drug use is more common among the BME population than among the general population
MYTH. Members of all minority ethnic groups (apart from white-Irish) are significantly less likely to use alcohol and illegal drugs than the white-British majority.
9. Black people are six times more likely to be stopped and searched for drugs compared to the general population
Myth or fact?
Scott is running BHT’s Working With Dual Diagnosis training course on 21 & 22 April.
To book your place, complete a booking form and return the form to it to us via email
Myths / Facts answers: 1 = MYTH, 3 = FACT, 5 = FACT, 7 = FACT, 9 = FACT.