Dual Diagnosis, Second Edition: Counseling the Mentally Ill Substance Abuser

<p><p>The treatment of coexisting chemical dependency and psychiatric disorders has long been a serious challenge for care providers. With the advent of managed care, counselors, case managers, and other professionals increasingly are called upon to treat very ill and troubled clients in outpatient settings. Updated for today's health care climate, the revised and expanded second edition of this popular volume offers a thorough introduction to clinical work with this difficult-to-treat population. Providing a unique synthesis of chemical dependency and mental health models, the book articulates a framework for assessment and treatment and describes a range of effective counseling and motivational strategies for adolescents and adults. Updated to DSM-IV, the second edition includes discussions of the latest developments in treatment, sample treatment plans, increased coverage of ways to incorporate 12-step concepts into mental health interventions, and a new section on trauma-based disorders in addicted female adolescents. As in the first edition, the practical utility of the volume is enhanced by numerous clinical vignettes and clearly presented tables to aid in assessment. Appendices feature helpful reproducible forms. <p></p> <h3>Doody Review Services</h3> <p><b>Reviewer&#58;</b>Sharon L Coleman, PsyD(Cermak Health Services)<BR><b>Description&#58;</b>This book updates and integrates mental health treatment with substance abuse treatment.<BR><b>Purpose&#58;</b>The purpose is to update the reader on dual diagnosis and suggested treatment approaches. This book also seems to accurately incorporate other major clinical syndromes with substance abuse disorders. This is an important an necessary endeavor given the prevalence of substance abuse disorders. This book appears to have covered the relevant issues regarding dual diagnosis and treatment.<BR><b>Audience&#58;</b>This book is written primarily for the practitioner, more specifically those trained in psychology or in mentally ill substance abuse (MISA) treatment. Although the author seems to target a more general audience, including substance abuse counselors, the information relating to other mental disorders and DSM-IV classifications may not be as familiar to this group. I do think that the authors are very credible in this area and provide significant depth of information to the reader.<BR><b>Features&#58;</b>The book essentially addresses two main areas: dual diagnosis and treatment. It integrates major mental disorders with substance abuse disorders. It outlines the features and dynamics of symptomatology. It also highlights treatment modalities and even offers disorder-specific interventions. The book covers some practical assessment issues and also contains good examples for understanding key issues. The checklists and examples in the appendix are especially helpful. I do think that the book would have benefited from some additional discussion on cultural issues and influences related to dual diagnosis and treatment.<BR><b>Assessment&#58;</b>This is an excellent addition to the literature on dual diagnosis. It is relatively comprehensive and offers important suggestions on treatment approaches. This book is exceptionally practical from this standpoint. The new edition is necessary since it updates diagnostic information from the current DSM.</p>