Author Description

The last few years have seen an increasing awareness among the mental health community to the unique situations of the person suffering simultaneously from mental health disorders and substance abuse addiction. Complementing this rise in attention has been a realization of the unique challenges faced by mental health professionals engaged in the treatment of these clients, and a startling acknowledgement of the gap in the existing literature on the topic. There is currently no available treatment manual that includes specific training on how to treat this difficult population, following guidelines and practical instructions based on treatment practices already employed by the authors. This treatment manual will fill an important gap in the literature by addressing the specific challenges faced by the clinician treating individuals with co-occurring schizophrenia and substance abuse disorders.The unique strength of the proposed volume is its close adherence to a treatment plan proven successful by empirical research and now being made available for the practicing clinician. The book is designed as a manual for mental health professionals, and follows a program which incorporates various treatment components, from motivational interviewing, urinalysis contingency, and social skills training to education and coping skills, problem solving and relapse prevention, and finally termination. Guidelines are clearly established for these treatment modes, utilizing case examples and fictional situations to allow the reader to profit more directly from the lessons in the text. The book follows a treatment outline that will allow the clinician to pattern a series of therapy sessions after the suggested timeframe found within the text. Additionally, the format and flow of individual sessions is carefully considered and discussed, allowing the clinician a model from which to base a treatment plan.