Consumer Evaluation of Dual Focus Mutual Aid

ABSTRACT

Double Trouble in Recovery (DTR) is a “dual focus,” 12 step-based mutual aid program tailored to assist recovery from co-occurring substance use and psychiatric disorders. Objective: To determine consumers' perceptions of DTR's usefulness for their recoveries and the relationships between perceived DTR usefulness and self-help processes, self-efficacy to cope with problems in recovery, and changes in behaviors conducive to dual recovery. Methods: Consumers attending DTR groups, located within a psychiatric day-treatment program, completed anonymous surveys 8 months (N = 19) and 20 months (N = 61) after DTR was implemented. Results: DTR participants rated DTR favorably and length of DTR attendance was significantly associated with increased self-efficacy for recovery and positive changes in recovery-oriented behaviors. Perceived DTR usefulness was significantly associated with greater engagement in three specific self-help processes and increased self-efficacy for recovery; notably, these associations were independent of consumers' overall satisfaction with the treatment program. Conclusion: This study is the first to document consumers' perceived usefulness of DTR in relation to indicators of recovery. Overall, the study provides additional evidence for the benefits of implementing consumer-led dual focus groups in treatment programs.

KEYWORDS:

• Dual diagnosis
• co-occurring disorders
• self-help
• mutual aid
• 12 step program: substance use
• mental illness
• outpatient treatment
• psychiatric co-morbidity
• recovery

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This research was supported by the National Institutes of Health grant no. R01 DA015912 (S. Magura, Principal Investigator). The authors are grateful to the consumers and providers of the Soundview Throgs Neck Community Mental Health Center in the Bronx, NY for their participation in the research. In particular we thank staff members Heather Neuhs, CSW, Clinical Director; Elise Richman, MD, Medical Director; Richard Camplone, CSW, Clinical Supervisor; Wilson Rodriguez, Registration Coordinator; and Bonni Bell, Administrative Assistant, for their ongoing assistance and support. The authors also thank Research Assistants Denecia Pearce and Anna Maria Dimitrova for collecting and managing the data.

At the time of this study, Stephan Magura, PhD, CSW, was Director of Science and Research at National Development and Research Institutes (NDRI.). He is currently the Director of the Evaluation Center at Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI.

Notes

∗∗ = p < .01

∗∗= p < .05.

∗For all scales, higher score indicates more positive result.