OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY AND DUAL DIAGNOSIS: MENTAL ILLNESS AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Course overview

The dual diagnosis of mental illness and substance abuse affects millions worldwide. The co-occurrence of these illnesses produces symptoms that affect daily functioning and interfere with occupational performance to a greater degree than a single diagnosis. Characteristics of clients with dual diagnosis can include multiple medical problems, social issues, poor coping skills, multiple relapses and difficulty performing activities of daily living and managing time. Because these problems are more severe than those with a single diagnosis, providing treatment for only one of the diagnoses or separate treatment is ineffective. The best practice treatment model is integrated treatment where both illnesses are treated simultaneously in the same setting by professionals trained in both areas of practice using a client-centered recovery model. OTs play a role in the assessment and treatment of clients with dual diagnosis.