NCJ Number
180264
Editor(s)
Edward J. Latessa Ph.D.
Date Published
1999
Length
56 pages
Annotation
This paper examines which substance-abusing offenders are at higher risk for co-occurring disorders, challenges in the treatment and supervision of offenders with co-occurring disorders, screening and assessment components and instruments, and the treatment of co-occurring disorders.
Abstract
The authors consider why mental health and substance abuse services often are separated for these types of offenders, and then discuss the advantages of an integrated treatment approach, which includes assertive outreach and intensive case management, a more comprehensive range of services, more emphasis on motivating and engaging people to treatment, movement through phases of treatment, modification of psychopharmacological approaches, and ongoing reassessment and treatment plan modifications. The paper also examines the modalities currently used to treat co-occurring disorders: therapeutic communities, peer support and 12-step programs, cognitive-behavioral or skill-building approaches, relapse prevention, and case management strategies. The key principles of dual-diagnosed treatment are also identified from the literature. Strategies and guidelines for the integration of individuals with co-occurring disorders with existing community programs are presented and reviewed, as well as the type of community treatment resources that are needed for these individuals. Case management and supervision strategies are described, followed by a discussion of the characteristics of staff who are most effective with this type of population. The paper concludes with a discussion of the development of community supervision orders as well as staff training issues. 3 notes and 104 references