Drug and alcohol services - co-occurring substance use and mental health concerns: literature and evidence review

2. Methodology

The report draws on a rapid review of the existing literature and evidence base relevant to co-occurring substance use and mental health concerns within the last 20 years. Given the broad scope of the research, time constraints did not allow for a fully comprehensive or systematic review process to be adopted. A focus was placed on evidence relevant to the Scottish context (including research undertaken in the rest of the UK) published between 2012 and 2022. Searches of key academic and grey literature databases^[2] were conducted by the Scottish Government Library and by Scottish Government analysts using search terms developed in consultation with clinical and policy colleagues (see Appendix A).

A list of inclusion criteria for the review was developed which include both primary and secondary peer reviewed literature such as academic reports and evidence reviews. In addition, governmental publications (UK and devolved) and evidence from third sector organisations and charitable bodies were considered for inclusion.

Publications were screened in three stages: title, abstract and full text. At each stage of screening, publications that did not meet the inclusion criteria were removed prior to inclusion, each publication was assessed for overall quality of research and weight in the review was given to research of a high standard. This assessment was done in line with NICE public health guidance.^[3] The resulting literature was analysed thematically using a narrative synthesis approach.^[4]