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Heroin Addiction and Related Clinical Problems: 2005, 07, 2 (pages: 11 - 18)

Long-term treatment for patients with severe mental illness and substance abuse

Blix O., Eek U.

Summary: Drug and alcohol addiction is common among patients with severe mental illness. Those patients often fall between different treatment systems. Since 1994 a long-term treatment for patients with this kind of “Dual Diagnosis” has been going on in the city of Jonkoping, Sweden. It is a joint programme with staff both from the local social services and the psychiatric clinic. A team of six people, three social workers and three nurses with special education in psychiatry, are working with a group of at most 35-40 patients. A stepwise treatment lasts for a minimum of 3 years, after a model constructed and evaluated in the U.S. (Meuser and Drake, New Hampshire). The aim of the treatment is enduring retention leading to the stabilization of both problem areas. The treatment goals are set by each client. Great attention is given to training in social skills. Between 1994 and 2004, 82 patients in all were in the treatment programme. The results of the treatment programme are presented.