Treatment for dual diagnosis
Much of the treatment for dual diagnosis is the same as that for a mental health condition alone. This includes psychological therapy or counselling, social support, occupational therapy and medication.
The information on this page and more can be found in the Rethink Advice and Information Service Dual Diagnosis Factsheet
How can dual diagnosis be treated?
The treatment plan for dual diagnosis will vary depending on the mental health diagnosis and the substances that are being misused. When dual diagnosis is treated, it is important that the care someone gets looks at both the mental health and substance misuse problems together. The effect of substances on medication should be considered before a prescription is made.
Guidance published by Turning Point, a charity for people with complex needs, says:
- There should be a local strategy for helping people with dual diagnosis
- Assessments of people with dual diagnosis should take into account all of their needs and be carried out by a number of people working in different fields and employed by different agencies
- Assessment should include a full history of someone’s mental health and substance use
- A risk assessment should be carried out to see whether someone is a danger to themselves or to others
- Treatment should be focused on engaging with a person, trying to motivate them to change their habits, preventing relapse and providing access to a range of treatments and helpful agencies
Problems with the treatment of dual diagnosis
Sometimes people with dual diagnosis or their carers tell us that they are passed between mental health and substance misuse services without getting proper treatment from either. For example a substance misuse service may say they are not trained to help people with mental health problems and mental health services might say they will not treat someone whilst they are using drugs or alcohol.
Department of Health guidance is clear that staff from mental health services should be equipped to treat and support clients with a dual diagnosis .
The Care Programme Approach (CPA) (see care in the community) is the framework coordinating the care of people with complex mental health problems, including dual diagnosis.
Guidance says that when a person’s care plan is drawn up detailing how their needs will be met, a risk management plan in relation to substance misuse should also be included.
Assertive outreach is important because a lack of insight or awareness that there is a mental health problem and/or acceptance that there is a problem with alcohol or drugs can mean someone easily loses contact with services.
