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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
John Hornik, PhD, Terri Tobin, PhD, and Blossom Davies, PhD. Advocates for Human Potential, 59 Carriage Road, Amherst, MA 01002, (518) 475-9146 x244, jhornik@ahpnet.com
The focus of this research is on comparing two methadone programs that serve persons with dual diagnoses. One program represents a parallel approach, referring clients for mental health treatment to a second agency. The other program represents an integrated approach in which treatment for both problems is incorporated within the program. The presentation will first review major differences between the two treatment models. The goal of this study is to assess the relative effectiveness of the two programs in treating both the addiction and the co-occurring mental health disorder. We employ a quasi-experimental design that controls for pre-treatment differences in program population. The key study outcomes, assessed through repeated client interviews over a one year period, include substance use, risk & prevention, physical health, mental and emotional health, environmental & interpersonal relationships, legal problems, and employment, training and income. A subset is also assessed through a briefer survey completed by clinicians, as well as urinalysis. Presentation of results will focus on differences in the rates at which co-occurring mental health disorders are presented and identified and treated by the program. Co-occurring psychiatric disorders are common among clients in methadone maintenance programs. Among the major explanations offered for the lack of success is that treatment is frequently undertaken by separate practitioners, working for different organizations with conflicting values and strategies. The integrated treatment model is offered as an alternative to solve these difficulties; however, this model has rarely been adopted in methadone treatment or systematically tested against the parallel treatment model.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to
Keywords: Substance Abuse Treatment, Mental Illness
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.