Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment

Serious Mental Illness (SMI) and Substance Use Disorders (SUD) each involve symptoms that can be rather debilitating. Approximately one half of the individuals diagnosed with a severe mental illness such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder experience co-occurring substance use issues (Brunette et al., 2008). Individuals with a dual diagnosis of SMI and substance use are particularly vulnerable with complex service needs (Tsai et al., 2009). As a result of the high prevalence and serious consequences of these disorders, there is an increasing need for comprehensive treatment options to simultaneously address both issues. Integrated dual disorder treatment (IDDT) is an evidence-based practice for people with severe mental illness and co-occurring substance dependence. According to Surface (2009), “the IDDT model uses a collaborative, multidisciplinary team approach to coordinate every aspect of a client’s recovery and ensure that all the service providers involved in the client’s care are working toward a common goal.” This integrated approach of psychiatric and substance use treatment are coordinated by a multi-disciplinary team. The IDDT team consists of the following: case managers,

For several years and still today, individuals with a dual-diagnosis receive treatment from separate entities. This approach makes it difficult for individuals to navigating through separate systems and to decipher disparate messages about treatment and recovery. Whereas, Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment aims at reducing these conflicts, along with eliminating the individual’s “burden of attending two programs and hearing potentially conflicting messages, and to remove financial and other barriers to access and retention” (Minkoff,