Persons dually-diagnosed with substance abuse and mental illness have needs for long-term support that have been difficult to meet through the substance abuse and mental health treatment systems, or through traditional, single-purpose mutual aid groups. Double Trouble in Recovery (DTR) is a new and growing 12-step-help model that is designed to meet the special needs of dually diagnosed persons during their long-term recovery process. Preliminary data indicate that the DTR movement is succeeding in forming peer support groups, in engaging the dually diagnosed in such groups, and in training peer leaders to disseminate the model.
The aims are: 1) To examine the process by which dually diagnosed persons initiate contact and become progressively involved in DTR and in their recoveries. 2) To develop an understanding of DTR group formation, development and dynamics. 3) To measure and document the therapeutic mechanisms through which dual recovery groups (and mutual aid groups generally) are hypothesized to improve outcomes for their participants; i.e., emotional support, teaching and active learning. 4) To conduct an effectiveness study of DTR using longitudinal research. 5) To test a theory-driven model of the recovery process among dually diagnosed persons. Substance use, mental health status, treatment compliance, and life functioning variables will be tracked longitudinally for two years in a random sample of 300 DTR members (100 new members and 200 current members with different lengths of participation). In addition, life histories will be obtained from 50 members, 25 group factilitors will be interviewed, group process in 25 DTR groups will be observed, and the development of 5 new groups will be studied over time. DTR complements formal treatment by mobilizing peer support for recovery, and serves as long-term aftercare/continuing care following intensive short-term substance abuse or mental health treatment, including encouraging psychiatric medication compliance, which helps prevent rehospitalization. For these reasons dual recovery models are receiving considerable attention from behavioral managed care providers.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DA011240-04
Application #
6174675
Study Section
Human Development Research Subcommittee (NIDA)
Program Officer
Czechowicz, Dorynne D
Project Start
1997-08-15
Project End
2001-12-31
Budget Start
2000-07-01
Budget End
2001-12-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2000
Total Cost
$147,277
Indirect Cost
Name
National Development & Research Institutes
Department
Type
DUNS #
080481880
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10010
Magura, Stephen (2008) Effectiveness of dual focus mutual aid for co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders: a review and synthesis of the ""Double Trouble"" in Recovery evaluation. Subst Use Misuse 43:1904-26
Magura, Stephen; Cleland, Charles; Vogel, Howard S et al. (2007) Effects of ""dual focus"" mutual aid on self-efficacy for recovery and quality of life. Adm Policy Ment Health 34:1-12
Laudet, Alexandre B; Cleland, Charles M; Magura, Stephen et al. (2004) Social support mediates the effects of dual-focus mutual aid groups on abstinence from substance use. Am J Community Psychol 34:175-85
Laudet, Alexandra B; Magura, Stephen; Vogel, Howard S et al. (2004) Perceived reasons for substance misuse among persons with a psychiatric disorder. Am J Orthopsychiatry 74:365-75
Laudet, Alexandre B; Magura, Stephen; Cleland, Charles M et al. (2004) The effect of 12-step based fellowship participation on abstinence among dually diagnosed persons: a two-year longitudinal study. J Psychoactive Drugs 36:207-16
Magura, Stephen; Laudet, Alexandre B; Mahmood, Daneyal et al. (2003) Role of self-help processes in achieving abstinence among dually diagnosed persons. Addict Behav 28:399-413
Laudet, Alexandre B; Magura, Stephen; Vogel, Howard S et al. (2003) Participation in 12-Step-Based Fellowships Among Dually-Diagnosed Persons. Alcohol Treat Q 21:19-39
Magura, Stephen; Knight, Edward L; Vogel, Howard S et al. (2003) Mediators of effectiveness in dual-focus self-help groups. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse 29:301-22
Laudet, Alexandre B; Magura, Stephen; Cleland, Charles M et al. (2003) Predictors of retention in dual-focus self-help groups. Community Ment Health J 39:281-97
Magura, Stephen; Laudet, Alexandre B; Mahmood, Daneyal et al. (2002) Adherence to medication regimens and participation in dual-focus self-help groups. Psychiatr Serv 53:310-6

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