Trends across two time periods in the diagnosis of substance abuse comorbidity at the Hawaii State Hospital.

This study investigates the changes from the late 1980s to early 1990s of comorbidity (mental illness plus substance abuse) at the Hawaii State Hospital. For the 1990s, a prevalence rate ranging from 14.2% to 30% was estimated, with the latter figure based on a closer review of the records. A higher proportion of comorbid clients were single, and compared to the non-abusers (i.e., patients diagnosed with only schizophrenia or affective disorder), a higher percentage were male and had an educational level less than high school. There was an increase in the percent of non-abusers and substance abusers, but a decrease in the dual diagnosed. The implications of these findings are discussed