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.
next to an author's name indicates that all files or directories associated with their ETD are accessible from the Virginia Tech campus network only.
![[VT]](http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/images/ETD-db/restricted.gif)
