Thesis (M.A.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 50-54). / ix, 120 leaves, bound 29 cm

Though there is a high comorbidity between serious mental illness and substance use (dual diagnosis), little research has been conducted concerning the treatment of seriously mentally ill substance users. This study examined subjects (N=154) who participated in dual diagnosis treatment groups in a suburban out-patient community mental health center during a 10 year period, in order to determine the characteristics of subjects who responded well to outpatient group treatment. Data on 28 demographic, diagnostic, treatment and treatment participation variables were collected on each subject and the data was then analyzed by correlational, discriminant and multiple regression statistical procedures. Each of the procedures found that a more positive recovery status at admission combined with longer-term treatment and participation in additional treatment services were highly related to positive treatment outcomes. Four variables (more positive recovery status at admission, participation in a greater number of treatment groups, greater involvement in self-help groups and hospitalization while in treatment) were found significantly related to positive treatment outcome in all three statistical tests. There were also differences in gender and race/culture sub-groups concerning which variables contributed to positive treatment outcomes. / Master of Science

Bakgrund: Att ha ett substansbrukssyndrom samtidigt som en annan psykiatrisk sjukdom benämns dubbeldiagnos. Att ha en dubbeldiagnos är förknippat med sämre prognos och svårare återhämtning. Hur dubbeldiagnospatienter har uppfattat sin återhämtning och om kulturella aktiviteter kan ha påverkat återhämtningen har inte berörts mycket i tidigare forskning. Därför ansågs det viktigt att genomföra denna studie. Syfte: Att belysa patienters med dubbeldiagnos upplevelser av att delta i kulturella aktiviteter och dess påverkan på återhämtningen. Metod: En kvalitativ intervjustudie genomfördes med 12 dubbeldiagnospatienter som alla hade deltagit i kulturella aktiviteter. En innehållsanalys genomfördes med stöd av Burnard (1991) och Berg (2004). Resultat: Analysen resulterade i temat ”Bättre psykiskt hälsa genom gemenskapens kraft”. Temat var övergripande för samtliga fem kategorier ”Att våga ta steget”, ”att få känna samhörighet och gemenskap”, ”positiva känslor i ett tryggt sammanhang”, ”att våga vara sig själv” och ”försöka bryta sina gränser”. Resultatet visar att den psykiska hälsan förbättrades i samband med deltagandet i de kulturella aktiviteterna. Genom att gemensamt lämna mottagningen minskade isoleringen och stigmat. Även ett ökat självförtroende och ökade positiva känslor var en effekt av deltagandet. Slutsats: Kulturella aktiviteter kan ha påverkat dubbeldiagnospatienters återhämtning positivt, men det som hade störst påverkan var känslan av att få tillhöra en gemenskap. / Background: Having a substance use disorder at the same time as another psychiatric illness is called dual diagnosis. Having a dual diagnosis is associated with poorer prognosis and recovery. How patients with dual diagnosis have experienced their recovery and whether cultural activities may have affected the recovery has not been mentioned much in previous research. Therefore, it was considered important to conduct this study. Objective: To illustrate dualdiagnosis patients experiences of participating in cultural activities and their impact on the recovery. Method: A qualitative interview study was conducted with 12 patients with dual diagnoses who had all participated in the cultural activities. A content analysis was carried out with the support of Burnard (1991) and Berg (2004). Results: The analysis resulted in the theme "Improved mental health through the power of the community". The theme was general for all five categories. “To dare to take a step”, “feel togetherness and solidarity”, “positive emotions in a safe context”, “to dare to be yourself” and “try to break boundaries”. The results show that mental health improved when participating in cultural activities. Leaving the reception together reduced the isolation and stigma. Increased self-confidence and increased positive feelings were also an effect of participating. Conclusion: Cultural activities may have positive effects on the recovery of patients with dual diagnoses, but the greatest impact was the feeling of belonging to a community.

The purpose of this study was to investigate how women's perceptions of the helpfulness of services received at a substance abuse treatment clinic affected their compliance with the treatment program. The study surveyed thirty-two women who were receiving treatment from Inland Behavioral and Health Services. The study investigated the efficacy of these elements: parenting classes, health classes, substance abuse therapy groups, group therapy, drug screening, health clinics, Narcotics Anonymous meetings, Dual Diagnosis Anonymous meetings, Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, homeless support services, individual therapy, case managers, daycare, transportation.