An integrated approach for dually diagnosed patients in a substance abuse treatment program: Case presentation

Patients with co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders experience worse social and clinical outcomes and are in need of adequate and simultaneous treatment for both disorders. The case presented illustrates the diversity of psychosocial, health, and behavioral problems and the complexity of treatment of a dually diagnosed patient. The authors discuss the benefits of using an integrated approach in an addiction treatment setting. The authors also review the importance of an integrated treatment model for populations with inadequate health care resources who are at high risk for medical and psychiatric complications.