Presents follow-up data (N=179) from an ongoing longitudinal study of the effectiveness of self-help for dually-diagnosed persons. Ss are members of Double Trouble in Recovery (DTR), a self-help program designed to meet dual recovery needs, and were recruited at 25 meeting sites in NYC. Ss are mostly members of underserved minority groups with long histories of substance abuse and mental health disorders. Most Ss attend outpatient treatment (for drug use, mental health or dual-diagnosis - 77%) and take psychotropic medications (87%). Ss were interviewed 12 months after baseline; 76% were still attending DTR; 68% also attended traditional self-help groups (e.g., AA). Mean number of symptoms Ss. experienced in the past year decreased significantly (p=. 000); two-thirds (69%) of Ss reported that their mental health was "better" in the past month than it was at baseline. One-third (29%) reported substance use in the past year, compared to 42% at baseline (p=.002). Substance use (less) was significantly associated with DTR attendance but not with outpatient treatment or with AA/NA participation: Total time abstinent was related to lifetime length of DTR attendance (r=.25, p=.002) and past year substance use was related to number of months of DTR attendance in the past year (r=-.17, p=.02). Findings suggest that for dually-diagnosed individuals, continued participation in dual recovery self-help groups plays a significant role in the recovery process and should be encouraged, both during and after formal treatment.
Funded by National Institute on Drug Abuse Grant R01 DA11240-01
Learning Objectives: 1. Describe basic principles of self-help 2. Understand the relevance of self-help and its role in recovery from addiction and mental disorders 3. Recognize the need to encourage self-help participation for dually-diagnosed clients
Keywords: Recovery, Co-morbid
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.