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A preliminary review of an outpatient dual diagnosis recovery group programme
- Authors:
- CHILTON John, PARRISH Margarete, CRONE Diane
- Journal article citation:
- Groupwork, 21(3), 2011, pp.78-91.
- Publisher:
- Whiting and Birch
Estimates suggest that one third of service users in the UK with serious mental illness have concurrent substance misuse conditions or ‘dual diagnoses’. A challenge facing professionals working with people with dual diagnosis involves the integration of both mental health and substance-related practice in order to provide meaningful services to meet the complex spectrum of needs that characterise dual diagnosis. This article discusses an ongoing recovery group therapy programme designed to address the psycho-educational and therapeutic needs associated with dual diagnosis. The group programme comprises 10 weekly hour-long sessions covering different topics facilitated by mental health nurses trained in group therapy. The group participants are required to complete screening instruments pre- and post-group treatment. The findings presented in this article relate to the first 20 participants who completed the first programme. Fourteen of these participants completed the programme. The development of relationships between group members proved to be a powerful influence for positive change. Participants reported improved mental health functions and diminished reliance on substances during the group treatment process. The benefits of groupwork among this population and implications for good practice are discussed.