Dual Diagnosis (Drug/Alcohol and Mental Health): Service User Experiences

Abstract

The inadequacies that frequently manifest in service provision for people who live with dual diagnosis are widely acknowledged. However, the perspectives of these individuals have generally been overlooked within the existing literature. In this context, the following study aims to develop insight into the lived experience of dual diagnosis, particularly with respect to accessing and using services, by exploring the narratives of service users through qualitative research. A series of individual topic-focused interviews were undertaken with service users accessed through a statutory substance use agency. The recordings of these interviews were then transcribed and analysed through systematic coding before being presented and discussed thematically. The findings concur with the wider dual diagnosis literature to a large extent: identified inadequacies with regard to service provision were echoed within the study and the negative impact of issues of exclusion and stigma were noted. A further concern was the tendency for the prevalent parallel model of service provision to curtail any integrated consideration of dual diagnosis. Additionally, the study highlighted the importance accorded by service users to peer support and lived experience. A more inclusive, integrated approach was felt to be desirable and recommendations are offered in this context.

Keywords:

• dual diagnosis
• co-morbidity
• substance misuse and mental health

Notes

1. This article is based on the dissertation submitted for the author's MSc in Social Work Studies (Lawrence-Jones 2007).