Research in the field of dual diagnosis (the coexistence of symptoms indicative of a substance abuse problem and a mental health problem) has expanded immensely over the past 15 years. Unfortunately, much of the existing literature available on this topic is limited to adult populations. The researcher explored the rate of dual diagnosis in the adolescent population by conducting a secondary data analysis of the Canadian Incidence Study of Child Abuse and Neglect (CIS-2003; Trocme et al., 2005). The rate of having one or more substance abuse problems in the CIS-2003 was 8.8% and the rate of having one or more mental health problems was 23.6%. Dual diagnosis was found to be under-reported in the child welfare system in Canada. Results of the secondary data analysis indicate that 4.4% of the total sample of adolescents aged between 10 and 15 years old had symptoms indicative of a dual diagnosis over the 3 month study period (n=4381). By providing a profile of child and caregiver characteristics and risk factors associated with dual diagnosis, clinicians from all realms can become better equipped to understand these issues. In the future, Social Workers and other professionals can work collaboratively on identification of DD and improving outcomes for youth and families affected by symptoms of a dual diagnosis.

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