<PAGE>   1
                                   Exhibit 5.1




                  [LETTERHEAD OF CAMHY KARLINSKY & STEIN LLP]
                                 1740 BROADWAY
                         NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10019-4315
                                 (212) 977-6600

                               November 7, 1996



Comprehensive Care Corporation
1111 Bayside Drive
Corona del Mar, California 92625


        Re:   Comprehensive Care Corporation
              Registration Statement on Form S-8
              Filed on November 8, 1996         
              ----------------------------------


Dear Sir/Madam:

         We have reviewed a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the
"Registration Statement") filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Act"), by Comprehensive Care Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), on November 8, 1996.  The Registration Statement has been filed for
the purpose of registering for offer and sale under the Act: 500,000 shares of
the Company's Common Stock, $.01 par value (the "Common Stock") issuable under
the Company's 1988 Incentive Stock Option Plan (the "1988 ISO Plan"); 200,000
shares of the Company's Common Stock issuable under the Company's 1988
Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan (the "1988 NSO Plan"); 450,000 shares of the
Company's Common Stock issuable under the Company's 1995 Incentive Plan (the
"1995 Incentive Plan"); and 250,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock
issuable under the Company's 1995 Amended and Restated Non-Employee Directors
Stock Option Plan (the "1995 Directors Plan").  The 1988 ISO Plan, the 1988 NSO
Plan, 1995 Incentive Plan, and 1995 Directors Plan are sometimes referred to as
the "Option Plans") and the shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of
options granted the Plans or issuable or issued pursuant to grants of restricted
stock are sometimes referred to as the "Shares."

         We have examined your Certificate of Incorporation as amended, Bylaws
and such documents, corporate records and questions of law as we have deemed
necessary solely for the purpose of enabling us to render this opinion. On the
basis of such examination, we are of the opinion that:

               1.   The Company is a corporation duly organized and validly
         existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

               2.   The Company has an authorized capitalization of 12,500,000
         shares of capital stock consisting of 12,500,000 shares of Common
         Stock, $.01 par value, and 60,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $.01 par
         value.

               3.   The Shares have been duly authorized, and when issued, sold
         and paid for as described in the Registration Statement, will be
         validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

         We hereby consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm under the caption "Legal
Matters" in the Prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement.


                                           Very truly yours,

                                           /s/ CAMHY KARLINSKY & STEIN LLP
                                           -------------------------------
                                               Camhy Karlinsky & Stein LLP