Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a associação entre dependência de maconha, transtornos psiquiátricos comórbidos e estágios de mudança em uma amostra de usuários de maconha que procuraram por tratamento. Um total de oitenta pacientes que procuraram por tratamento para dependência de maconha em um ambulatório especializado foram avaliados. Os dados em relação a dependência de maconha e transtornos psiquiátricos comórbidos foram obtidos através de um questionário sociodemográfico e o SCAN (Schedules for Assessment in Neuropsychiatry). A motivação dos pacientes para o tratamento foi avaliada através da URICA (University of Rhode Island Change Assessment). A gravidade da dependência da maconha foi avaliada através da ASI (Addiction Severity Index). Houve alta proporção de comorbidades psiquiátricas na amostra de participantes. O diagnóstico de esquizofrenia foi associado à predominância do estágio de mudança de precontemplação e os diagnósticos de transtornos do humor e ansiedade foram associados aos estágios de contemplação e ação. Conclui-se que pacientes dependentes da maconha que procuram por tratamento têm alta prevalência de transtornos psiquiátricos associados e que este fator pode influenciar a motivação para o tratamento. / This study aimed to explore the association among cannabis dependence, concurrent psychiatric disorders, and stages of change in a sample of treatment-seeking patients. A total of eighty patients who sought treatment for cannabis dependence at a specialized outpatient clinic were assessed. Data on cannabis dependence and concurrent disorders were obtained by means of the Schedules for Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (SCAN). Motivation was assessed through the University of Rhode Island Change Assessment (URICA). Cannabis dependence severity was assessed through ASI (Addiction Severity Index). There was a high prevalence of concurrent psychiatric disorders in this sample. Diagnosis of schizophrenia was associated with lower motivation scores and the precontemplation stage of change. Diagnoses of mood and anxiety disorders were associated with higher motivation scores and contemplation and action stages of change. We concluded that cannabis dependent patients who seek treatment have a high prevalence of concurrent disorders and the diagnosis of a concurrent disorder may influence motivation for treatment.

Past literature has showed that there have been several misdiagnosis of mental illness due to client’s delays in speech or introspection caused by an intellectual disability. It is believed that the intellectual disability is either interfering with the proper mental health diagnosis or a mental health diagnosis is unnecessarily being added to an intellectual disability. The study used a qualitative design that asked four psychiatrists on how they are treating their clients with an intellectual disability in addition to their mental illness. The interview guide asks about the difficulty in diagnosing individuals with a mental illness and a co-occurring intellectual disability. The proportion of clients also having an intellectual disability and co-occurring mental illness ranged from 5 to 20%. The problems that psychiatrists are running into are the fact that patients are not being correctly diagnosed before the age of 18 and are not able to get the resources that are needed, such as Inland Regional services.

Treating people with co-occurring or dual diagnosis disorders requires an integrated treatment approach due to the complex health and social needs of people who suffer from mental illness and drug addiction. An integrated approach is not only necessary but crucial to treat both the drug addiction and mental illness concurrently. The aim of this study is to explore the impact that non- integrated care can have on the number of relapses that dually diagnosed people can have. The study found that there is no correlation between concurrent treatment and the number of relapses that dually diagnosed people may have. Social workers will need to be able to recognize mental illness that co-occurs with substance use in order to effectively treat clients to determine what treatment approach should be used. Social workers are trained to use a biopsychosocial approach to capture all aspects of the client’s life. This I especially important for clients that may be dually diagnosed.

The purpose of this study was to examine the comorbidity of substance use disorders and mental illness: Addressing access to dual diagnosis treatment centers and the correlation of perceived effectiveness. The research project was conducted in collaboration with California State University, San Bernardino, (CSUSB) and the Master in Social Work Program. The study used a survey designed with items that measured the participant’s perception of availability and effectiveness of dual diagnosis treatment centers. A quantitative study was conducted using a fixed choice response and data was analyzed on an interval measurement scale. Frequencies and cross tabulations were used to present participant’s answers. 86.7% of respondents perceived that they benefited from a dual diagnosis treatment center. All respondents perceived they were better equipped to manage their alcoholism after treatment, were better equipped to manage their mental illness after treatment, and better equipped to be a contributing member of society after treatment. The findings of this research may contribute to social work's knowledge of treating comorbidity by providing insight into the factors that contribute to individual's effectiveness in regards to post dual diagnosis treatment.

The research focus for this study was to examine the perspectives of social workers on clients’ ability to maintain sobriety. The primary question that was addressed is if social workers believe that a person can continue to maintain sobriety after treatment. The secondary question was whether having a dual diagnosis affects these beliefs. The sampling strategy that was used was the maximum variation sampling, and qualitative data gathering was used for this study through face-to-face interviews between the researcher and the social workers on an individual basis. Each interview was audio-recorded on a digital device. There are a total of eight participants in the study. The study found that there existed a strong connection between maintaining sobriety and having a healthy support system. The study also revealed that professional burnout had a significant effect on the treatment of the client. Finally, the findings of the study point to the importance of psychotherapy in treatment of chemically dependent patients. Overall results suggest the strong need for healthy support systems to maintain sobriety and the necessity of exploring methods to better prevent professional burnout. Results also imply the need for continued research in the area of substance abuse and how to better promote sobriety within the community.

Dual diagnosis clients continue to have low treatment completion rates. The purpose of the current study was to understand if motivational interviewing helped to increase completion rates for clients receiving cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Studying the problem was necessary for identifying an evidenced-based model for mental health counselors to help clients with dual diagnoses complete CBT treatment. There were no studies available for understanding the effectiveness of motivational interviewing as a tool for improving treatment completion rates for dual diagnoses clients in intensive outpatient programs. The research question examined if motivational interviewing was effective for improving treatment completion rates for the dual diagnosis population. A quantitative methodology with a quasi-experimental design used for this study and included a paired samples t test, a chi-square test, and a logistic regression analysis. The results showed a statistically significant association between receiving the motivational interviewing techniques and completing CBT. Clients who received motivational interviewing were 4 times more likely to complete CBT treatment compared to clients who did not receive the technique. Clients with increased self-efficacy levels were 2 times more likely to complete treatment, thus addressing the problem of dual diagnosis clients having low treatment completion rates. The overall results demonstrated that clients reduced substance use relapse and recidivism improved. Completing treatment helped to reduce crimes related to drug use; it also prepared substance users for return to society as productive citizens, which promoted positive social change.

This research addresses the use of canine animals in substance abuse treatment. There is research that addresses the importance of animals regarding therapy and mental illness, as well as research on the comorbidity of severe mental illness and substance abuse disorder. However, there is no research that looks at utilizing canines in substance abuse therapy. The purpose of this research was to examine the utilization of canine animals in rehab for those with substance abuse issues. The theoretical foundation for this study is the theory of contextualism. This theory focuses on humans with animals. To address the gap in research, this quasi-experimental quantitative study looked at two independent variables, presence or absence of a canine during treatment, and gender. The method of data collection was obtaining charts of 130 discharged clients, along with retrieval of data regarding days authorized by insurance for treatment. Information was obtained on the number of days that the client stayed in treatment. There was a comparison of the numbers that created a standardization for treatment. There was not significant difference in the average duration of substance abuse treatment when comparing people who attend treatment with their canine compared to those who do not attend treatment with a canine nor was there a difference between the genders. This research may create positive social change by providing an alternative to substance abuse disorder treatment. Not only will this create a positive environment for the client, but it will also provide them the ability to have comfort in a critical time in their lives. This research shows that canines provide something to mankind that we cannot always provide to one another.

<p>Individer med ett psykiskt funktionshinder har varit en del av en het debatt som pågått i Sverige en längre tid. Att ha både ett psykiskt funktionshinder och ett missbruk kallas för att ha en Dubbeldiagnos, (DD). Denna studie vill undersöka hur vårdpersonal upplever sitt arbete med att motivera brukare med DD till att förändra sin dagliga livsföring. Studien baseras på kvalitativa intervjuer med vårdpersonal, sammanlagt 12 intervjuer. Vårdpersonalen upplever sitt arbete som mycket positivt men att en känsla av frustration uppkommer då framsteg sker i en mycket långsam process. Detta upplever personalen beror på att missbruk tillåts på boendet. Inre och yttre motivation i samspel ansågs påverka en brukare med betoning på den inre.</p>

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With years of research focusing on soaring incarceration rates, the phenomena of prisoner reentry has been largely overlooked. The majority of incarcerated people will return to the community setting. In fact, millions of recently released offenders are on some form of community based supervision. Today, recidivism is a problem that plagues prisoner reentry. In order to address the challenge of prisoner reentry successfully, reentry initiatives have been established in an attempt to change the way corrections is conceptualized. The purpose of this study was to examine characteristics of probationers that are associated with and predictive of successful reentry. The data gathered for this study was existing data from the United States Probation and Pretrial Services office in the Western District of Pennsylvania. Existing data examined included a sample of probationers who were enrolled in the Federal Workforce Development Program (WFD) and a sample of probationers who were not enrolled in WFD. Chi-square and logistic regression tests were conducted to examine variables that may be associated with or predictive of successful reentry. The variables explored in this study included age, race, gender, type of offense, substance abuse, mental health, employment, education, WFD, and recidivism. Employment was the only variable found to be predictive and significant of successful reentry. Results may have been impacted by the type of sample, sample size, demographics, limited number of contextual variables, and ordinal nature of the data. Recommendations for future research and program implementation are included. / School of Education / Counselor Education and Supervision (ExCES) / PhD / Dissertation