According to SAMHSA, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, over 7.9 million people suffered from a dual diagnosis of addiction and at least one mental disorder every year. And every year those numbers grow. Lets find out more.
SAMHSA Evidence-Based Practices
SAMHSA supports evidence-based programs with positive success rates in treating dual diagnosis patients. These programs are tested and outcomes tracked for quality treatment practices. Approved programs include group counseling and medication treatments.
SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices lists 393 programs. It then divides the programs into groups of Programs with Effective Outcomes, Programs with Promising Outcomes, and Programs with Ineffective Outcomes. Out of 393 programs, only 25 qualify as effective.
Sequential, Parallel, and Integrated Treatments
Programs that offer dual treatment choose one of three treatment modalities, Sequential, Parallel, or Integrated.
Sequential Treatment: When using this method, one part of the dual diagnosis is left untreated until the patient is stable in the other diagnosis.
Parallel Treatment: This method involves multiple care providers working to treat the dual diagnosis patient. Sometimes, the care providers are spread among multiple agencies. This method can be positive when strong communication and cooperation are present between agencies and the patient.
Integrated: This method is preferred by SAMHSA as one care provider is assigned per patient. That care provider is trained in both mental disorders and addiction treatment. By using one point of contact for treatment, the patient is given quality care with little room for miscommunication.
Disadvantages of Sequential and Parallel Treatments
While these methods offer dual treatment, Sequential and Parallel Treatments have disadvantages.
|
Sequential |
Parallel |
|
One disorder may get worse while the other is treated. |
MULTIPLE PROVIDERS MAY NOT FULLY COMMUNICATE TREATMENT WITH EACH OTHER OR THE PATIENT. |
|
It is not clear which disorder should be treated first. Treatment may be denied for the disorder the patient wishes relief. |
THE PATIENT HAS TO WORK HARD TO GET INFORMATION AND QUALITY CARE BETWEEN PROVIDERS. |
|
It is unclear when one disorder has been successfully treated. |
PATIENTS MAY “FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS” AS NO ONE PROVIDER TAKES OVERSEEING RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CASE. |
|
Patient is not referred for treatment of the second disorder. |
DIFFERENCES IN TREATMENT LANGUAGE MAY CONFUSE THE PATIENT. |
While these barriers can be overcome with diligence, Integrated Dual Diagnosis Treatment may be a better choice.
Advantages of Integrated Dual Diagnosis Treatment
With Integrated Dual Diagnosis Treatment, the patient is assigned a counselor who oversees all treatment. This counselor is trained in dual treatment practices for mental disorders and addictions. This eliminates many of the problems created by one patient having multiple care providers.
- Coordination between providers is eliminated.
- The dual diagnosis’ are both treated as primary. So the client receives dual treatment.
- The care provider can assess symptoms holistically and adjust care as needed.
- There is less confusion created from differences of language used in treatment.
Find Dual Treatment for Dual Diagnosis
Not every addiction recovery facility offers dual diagnosis treatment. Use our checklist when calling recovery centers to make sure you find the right place for your needs.
If you or a loved one suffers from anxiety, depression, bipolar, or other disorders and need addiction recovery treatment contact Aion Recovery at 888-811-2879. An addiction specialist is waiting to help you.
Recent comments