Assertive Community Treatment for Patients with Chronic and Severe Mental Illness Who Abuse Drugs

Abstract

The Assertive Community Treatment model of mental health service delivery has been extensively studied and has undergone various modifications over the past twenty years. This article describes a modified ACT Team approach to the treatment of individuals who suffer from severe comorbid mental illness and substance abuse. Demographics of patients who are chosen to receive these intensive services, service utilization patterns, and elements of team treatment are discussed. Comparisons with less severely ill dual diagnosis patients who receive more traditional case management services are reviewed.

Keywords:

• case management
• chronic mental illness
• dual diagnosis
• substance abuse