Guretha Pettway
Masters Project
University of Bridgeport
March 21, 2014
Introduction
The treatment of clients who have been diagnosed with both a substance abuse and mental health disorders will require an integration of services from treatment facilities set up to treat both disorders accordingly. Facilities need to have in place a conceptual model for treating dually diagnosed clients that consists of four treatment phase: assessment, engagement, type of treatment, and relapse prevention. The components of these stages include case management, group therapy, psychopharmacology, toxicology screening, detoxification, family involvement, and participation in self-help groups. Due to the high rate of morbidity and mortality that is associated with dual diagnoses, clinician need to development, implement, and scientifically evaluate the integrated treatment models that will be utilized toward this particular population. The treatment of clients with substance abuse and mental health disorders requires an unique set of principles that outline a conceptual model for treating dually diagnosed clients that consists of four treatment phases: assessment, engagement, belief, treatment planning, and relapse prevention. The components of these phases include case management, group therapy, psychopharmacology, toxicology screening, detoxification, family involvement, and participation in self-help groups.
“The association of substance use with aggression and other socially inappropriate behaviors has led to considerable research interest in the possibility that substances impair the fundamental mechanisms of behavioral control (e.g. Lyvers 2000)”. Clients with dual diagnoses for many years have been receiving treatment for their two disorders from two different facilities, where they have two clinicians, two sets of treatment plans, two sets of groups and no communication between the two facilities on how the client was