A Call for Creativity in Dual Diagnosis Research

Abstract

Articles in this issue of the Journal of Dual Diagnosis illustrate and elaborate on several research themes that we have identified previously: the complexity and diversity of dual diagnosis; the absence of evidence-based practices in routine mental health settings; the risks of undertreatment or overtreatment; the abundance of correlational studies, which rarely lead to interventions; the relative absence of research on peer support; the potential role of electronic technologies; and the need for creative solutions. CURRENT PAPERSKlimas, Henihan, McCombe, Swan, Anderson, Bury, Dunne, Keenan, Saunders, Shorter, Smyth, and Cullen studied clinical screening and treatment for problems related to alcohol use in primary care treatment settings. People in these settings often received substance abuse treatments, such as methadone maintenance, but were typically not screened and treated for hazardous, harmful, or dependent drinking. The absence of systematic assessment and comprehensive, individually tailored treatments will continue until health care enters the modern age and adopts technology tools that providers and even patients themselves can use to facilitate routine patient-assisted care algorithms (Marsch, 2015).Two studies addressed the complex relationships among posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, emotion regulation, and substance abuse. Tripp, McDevitt-Murphy, Avery, and Bracken examined alcohol use and gender

A Qualitative Study of Client–Clinician Text Exchanges in a Mobile Health Intervention for Individuals With Psychotic Disorders and Substance Use

“…Despite the existence of evidence-based treatment for dual diagnosis, such as integrated dual diagnosis treatment (Drake et al, 2004), there remains a lack of widespread implementation of evidence-based practices for dual diagnosis in mental health settings (Drake, Bond, & Essock, 2009). Many people with dual diagnosis do not get the care they need to effectively manage their illness and move forward with recovery (Drake & Green, 2015; Hipolito, Carpenter-Song, & Whitley, 2011). …”