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Towards an Integrated Approach to a Family Intervention for Co‐occurring Substance Abuse and Schizophrenia
Author(s) -
Sheils Rebecca,
Rolfe Timothy
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of family therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.297
H-Index - 19
eISSN - 1467-8438
pISSN - 0814-723X
DOI - 10.1002/j.1467-8438.2000.tb00419.x
Subject(s) - schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , substance abuse , psychiatry , intervention (counseling) , psychological intervention , family therapy , psychology , mental health , dual diagnosis , population , psychotherapist , medicine , environmental health
Comorbid substance abuse and schizophrenia is a major cause for concern from clinical, economic and health care systems perspectives. Existing treatment strategies are frequently inadequate, partly due to a lack of research into the unique problems facing this dually diagnosed population. These individuals commonly place a disproportionate burden on the mental health delivery system. In addition, their families are left with the onerous task of caring for them. This paper reviews the literature on family interventions for both substance abuse and schizophrenia and postulates that a composite model of family therapy might be appropriate.