2008
Developed by Christina M. Delos Reyes, Paul M. Kubek, Ric Kruszynski, Patrick E. Boyle
This eight-page booklet is designed for medical professionals who want to improve their clinical relationships with and, thus, outcomes for people with co-occurring severe mental illness and substance use disorders. It is designed for the following: psychiatrists; physicians of internal medicine and family practice; nurses; other physicians (e.g., obstetrics and gynecology; neurology). It features an important graphic of the “quadrant framework of symptom severity.”
This booklet is a quick introduction to the principles and practices of Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment (IDDT), the evidence-based practice. IDDT combines substance abuse services with mental health services and helps people address both disorders at the same time—in the same service organization by the same team of treatment providers.
Some strategies for medical professionals discussed in this booklet include:
- Give psychotropic medication even if the consumer is still using alcohol or other drugs.
- Treat addiction with appropriate medications.
- Avoid medication known to increase addiction.
- Communicate regularly with members of the multidisciplinary IDDT service team.