Addiction Treatment Programs For the Dually Diagnosed 

As many families have probably discovered, addiction treatment programs have not been well designed with this population in mind. Typically a community has dual diagnosis treatment services for people with mental illness in one agency and addiction treatment for substance abuse in another. Clients are referred back and forth between them in what some have called “ping-pong” therapy. What is needed are “hybrid” programs that address both illnesses together. Development of these programs locally requires considerable advocacy efforts. 

Limitations of Traditional Drug Addiction Treatment Programs 

Addiction treatment programs designed for people whose problems are primarily substance abuse are generally not recommended for people who also have a mental illness. These addiction treatment programs tend to be confrontive and people with severe mental illnesses are too fragile to benefit from them. Heavy confrontation, intense emotional jolting, and discouragement of the use of medications tend to be detrimental. These treatments may produce levels of stress that exacerbate symptoms or cause relapse. 

Characteristics of Appropriate Dual Diagnosis Treatment Programs 

Desirable addiction treatment programs for the dual diagnosis population should take a more gradual approach. Staff should recognize that denial is an inherent part of the problem of dual diagnosis. Patients often do not have insight as to the seriousness and scope of their dual diagnosis. Abstinence may be a goal of the dual diagnosis treatment program but should not be a precondition for entering dual diagnosis treatment. If dually diagnosed clients do not fit into local Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) groups, special peer groups based on AA principles might be developed. Clients with dual diagnosis have to proceed at their own pace in treatment. An illness model of the problem should be used rather than a moralistic one. Staff needs to convey understanding of how hard it is to end a drug addiction problem and give credit for any accomplishments. Attention should be given to social networks that can serve as important support systems.

If you are looking for an effective dual diagnosis treatment program you can call the national helpline at 1-800-511-9225 or go to www.lakeviewhealth.com.