Dual Diagnosis Anonymous (DDA) and the Transition to Online Support During COVID-19

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has been particularly challenging for individuals with concurrent mental health and addiction problems. Like other mutual aid groups, Dual Diagnosis Anonymous (DDA) of Oregon in the US and DDA-UK were forced to suspend face to face meetings during the pandemic. To continue to support its members, DDA began offering online meetings. Objectives: this study explored attendees' perceived effectiveness, strengths, and limitations of online support within the context of the pandemic. Methods: A total of 92 DDA members from the US (n = 71) and the UK (n = 18) completed an online survey, which included quantitative scales and open questions. Feelings of inclusion in online versus in-person meetings were assessed using an adaptation of the Work Group Inclusion Test (Chung et al., 2020). A supplementary interview was conducted with a DDA facilitator. The open survey questions and the interview were independently thematically analyzed by two investigators. Results: Attendance of meetings significantly increased after the introduction of online meetings (p < 0.001). Approximately half of the participants (51.09%) indicated that DDA online support was the most helpful form of support they received during lockdown; 98.77% of participants agreed that online support should continue after the lockdown. There was no significant difference regarding feelings of inclusion in online versus in-person meetings. Conclusions: Online meetings allowed DDA to go global and provided effective support to people with complex needs during the COVID-19 lockdown. Participants experienced a continuity of inclusion and accessibility due to the online provision. Implications: It is suggested that going forward, online support should continue alongside traditional face to face meetings due to its potential to increase convenience, accessibility, and inclusivity.

Living through lockdown: A qualitative exploration of individuals’ experiences in the UK

“…Social networking has been shown to alleviate mental health symptoms and promote well‐being (Grieve et al., 2013 ) and its value has been particularly acknowledged during the recent pandemic (Wiederhold, 2020 ) and traditional self‐help groups successfully moving online (e.g. Milani, Keller, & Roush, 2021 ). Mutual aid groups have also played an important role, with many groups created during the pandemic (Covid‐19 Mutual Aid UK, 2020 ).…”

Changes in the Care Activity in Addiction Centers with Dual Pathology Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Various studies have shown how the pandemic has resulted in changes in the treatment demands placed on addiction centers and the healthcare provision patterns of clinicians [ 25 , 26 , 27 , 44 ], along with the associated impact on patients [ 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 ]. Unlike previous studies, this study focused exclusively on patients with dual pathology and analyzed the evolution of treatment admissions, profiles, and care indicators corresponding to the periods before, during, and after confinement, when various anti-COVID-19 measures were implemented in addiction and mental health services.…”

“…In contrast, Aguilar et al [ 26 ] noted an increase in care activity and higher relapse rates during the second half of confinement. In addition, other authors have reported changes in care patterns, with online appointments being prioritized and an increase in attendance at these appointments [ 27 ]. Likewise, it has been shown that confinement has led to an increase in the therapeutic needs of patients with addiction, with these patients also encountering more barriers to receiving therapeutic sessions and pharmacological treatments [ 11 , 28 , 29 ].…”