Dual Diagnoses: A Brief Summary

The strengths model is not just a philosophy or perspective, although it is that. It is rather a set of values and principles, a theory of practice, and explicit and rigorous practice methods that have been developed and refined over the last 25 years (Rapp & Goscha, 2006). The empirical testing of the case management model has shown consistent results that are superior to traditional approaches to serving people with severe psychiatric disabilities. The purpose of this literature review is to critique the effectiveness of the

Dual diagnosis is a combination of two corresponding mental diseases, or disorders, when one of the diseases is a form of addiction.

Research suggests that recovery is nurtured by positive relationships. These relationships encapsulate those with friends, family, service providers and connections with their personal community and culture. Such connections support individuals in becoming more than their “mental illness” identity. Important in fostering these connections are concepts of treating people with dignity, compassion and understanding.

In mental health the concept of recovery is a contrast to the medical context to which we are accustomed to. Individuals experiencing mental illnesses have expressed recovery to be “elusive, not perfectly linear… erratic, we flatter, slide back and regroup…establish a sense of integrity and purpose” (Roads to recovery, n.d.), which reflects

First, the recovery model prioritizes individual life goals, which are developed by the person seeking treatment, not the provider. On the other hand, the medical model is focused narrowly on treatment goals which are developed by the provider or treatment team. The recovery model encourages high goal-setting. They facilitate hope through providing resources and education, and help to develop steps to achieve personal goals, whereas the medical model has low expectations of the client and does not facilitate positive outcomes that will increase one’s quality of life. While the recovery model is holistic and sensitive to the issues that encompass stigma, the medical model is reductionistic and identifies individuals by their illness. The recovery model is strengths based, which is focused on improving self-efficacy, whereas the medical model is focused on symptom management; the overall goal is to reduce symptoms and stabilize the client. The recovery model recognizes that relapse does exist, whereas the client would be considered non-compliant if treated under the medical model. The medical model is focused on systematic processes, undervalues the therapeutic relationship, and is less focused on the individual. With the recovery model, providers understand the importance of a strong therapeutic relationship and encourage clients’ self-direction and right to make decisions regarding treatment. Recovery based therapy values the impact that hope and empowerment can have on individual treatment. The provider maintains a facilitator role with the client, which helps to encourage and foster positive change. With the medical model, providers control all aspects of treatment and client involvement is not as stable as it may be in recovery based treatment. (National Association for Social Workers West Virginia,

The following are five national dual recovery twelve step fellowship organizations located nationally. These five organization use the well-established twelve step program in a modified version to treat co-occurring disorders (C/O). The co-occurring disorder is first identified so that step one can be modified to the identified problem and continue the treatment addressing the problem with the twelve steps. Meetings are formatted, that are chaired by the members of the organization. Double Trouble in recovery (c/o) care of Mental Health Empowerment Project, is also based off the traditional twelve step program and is located in Albany New York. The co-occurring disorder is identified so the step one can be modified to the problem and continue

Recognizing that help is need is the first step toward sobriety. Once addicts realize that they need help, the next challenge is finding a New Haven heroin rehab center that suits their personal needs. While there are many treatment centers available, addicts and alcoholics need to find the right one if they want to recover. From looking for family programs to dual diagnosis treatment, the right treatment center will offer individualized treatment options that can be modified for each patient.

A statistical piece of information that was interesting is that how the number of mental disorders increases as the number of substance abuse disorders increases as well. Services, U.D. (2005) states the likelihood of mental disorders rises alongside with substance abuse dependencies. With the rise of both abuses at the same time, it complicates treatment for the mental disorder patients that have drug use however, multiple drugs is normal for those who are substance abusers (Services, U.D., 2005). The reason this information is found to be interesting is because with the two disorders rising at the same level, it appears that the challenges will be harder and more co-occurring disorder patients are going to need help with their issues. As a counselor, one must be dually competent to treat these clients or have staff available to treat the clients who have co-occurring disorders to ensure an effective outcome.

Did you know that 19.9 percent of adult Americans had some sort of a mental illness, according to the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (samhsa.gov, 2015, Para. 3). This is a total of 45.1 million adults in America suffering with mental health disorders (samhsa.gov, 2015, Para. 3). There are also currently 20.8 million adults in America who suffer from substance use disorder ever year (NAMI.org, 2015). Both of these are alarming statistics of the wellbeing of the American citizens. To make matters worse, these two groups intertwine to a population of people known with a co-occurrence of mental illness and substance use or, more commonly known as, dual diagnosis.

The majority of research that exists on 12-step programs often focus on determining the success rate of 12-step programs such as AA. There is little to no research on problems associated with 12-step programs or problematic areas of 12-step programs. The little research that does exist argue that 12-step programs are not structured for comorbid individual, they may not be the best option for mild substance use disorder, and the central theme of powerlessness can conflict with a therapist’s theoretical orientation and be harmful to the therapeutic alliance. (Kelly & Myers, 2007, Laudet et al., 2004, L, Ingvarson, Richard, 1995). The National Institute of Mental Health (2013) has found that 43.6 million adults aged 18 and older have at least one mental illness and 45 percent of individuals with one mental disorder met criteria for two or more disorders. The presence of comorbid disorders can severely affect the treatment and outcome of individuals (Terra et al., 2006). Many studies have found that clients with a dual diagnosis experience increased rates of hospitalization and increased use of emergency services (Helzer & Pryzbeck, 1998). It is easy to imagine how hospitalization can interrupt treatment by making it difficulty for individuals to attend.

Upon establishing a therapeutic alliance and building rapport, Adam was insightful in identifying treatment goals for therapy. Stressing the recovery model, Adam and I, were determine to set reachable goals that were attainable during short-term therapy consisting of 12, one hour, weekly sessions.

Ms. Peters explained that strength-based therapy is used to help clients build positive qualities (C. Peters, personal communication, February 3, 2016). In application, the therapist helps the patient become aware of hidden strengths. The strength-based cognitive behavioral therapy (SBCBT) model can be used to develop positive human qualities like resilience, patience, . . . Patient-generated imagery and metaphors serve as powerful tools to remind the patient to employ the newly developed positive quality. Thus, it gives the patient the ability to cope and deploy their developed quality without referencing a problematic disorder like depression, anxiety, or anger issues. Therefore, it instills the strength to adapt and bounce back by using

As stated throughout the paper Ms. Lira uses both cognitive behavioral therapy along with the strength-based approach to empower her clients and assist in providing

After carefully considering patient who has symptoms of simultaneous depression, alcohol abuse, and social issues it is determined that two of the four treatments mentioned would be best suited for this patient. Therefore, it is with unwavering assessment and by the support of the Evidence-Based practice question, the patient will have the most success with either treating as a dual diagnosis or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. In addition, based off of research into these methods, it is felt that they will minimize or eliminate the patient’s symptoms, therefore providing greater success than treatment as usual with no interventions offered.

Psychosocial rehabilitation models the ultimate patient-centered interventions; it effectively supplements the individual’s recovery. Recovery is deeply