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Recognition of
the condition, or at least an understanding of its implications and consequent
problems, dates back to the 1980s. Literature on the subject is abundant and
research is ongoing. However no standard method of treatment has yet been
established and at ground level, sufferers continue to be shunted between one
agency and another.
As a mentoring and befriending
project, Footsteps is neither equipped nor qualified to adequately address the
serious problems resulting from Dual Diagnosis. However, we are in a position
to witness the outcomes and have recently posed the question as to whether there
is a useful role for mentors to play.
One of the consequences of Dual Diagnosis
is that the client falls outside of the remit of both Mental Health and
Drug/Alcohol agencies alike. The Drug/Alcohol agencies are not qualified to
assess or treat mental illness and the Mental Health agencies cannot accurately
assess a client that is misusing substances. Consequently the client finds
him/herself somewhat out in the cold. So, could an adequately trained mentor
"fill the gap"?
In order to investigate this possibility, Footsteps
is in the process of putting together a batch of case studies. By doing so we
are hoping to identify common problems and to be in a position to approach local
agencies with a view to finding a way of bridging the gap through which so many
are falling. |
