I am mainly interested in the "third wave" of CBT but am certainly open to other approaches. One challenge is that as a counselor I cannot set policy nor greatly restructure groups, though I can modify mine or add a new group (with approval.) Therefore, being able to easily gain any needed training and incorporate into existing programs would be preferable.
Seeking Safety, a book by Lisa Najavits, if definitely worth checking out if you haven't already. The book specifically addresses substance abuse/PTSD co-occurrence and suggested treatment.
Dear Alan,
Thanks for your interest in and service for individuals with dual diagnosis. I received some training from Dr. Kenneth Minkoff many years ago and found his model to be very helpful for these populations. Please click the link to his website at which he and his associates provide resources and training opportunities. Certainly you'll have to adapt his approach/training to your work setting. Best,
Stephen
http://kenminkoff.com/ccisc.html
Stephen - Thank you your this information, I appreciate it. I'll check out Dr. Minkoff's work.
Trauma is not a side "issue", it is at the heart of addiction and many other things we call "mental illness".
I agree with Sarvenaz. Sadly, many drug treatment facilities may be missing the boat on this one. I've worked at one place that held a flat policy, "We don't treat trauma here." This makes little to no sense when considering that the majority of the population had a traumatic history (they didn't even use a good measure for traumatic history, incredibly enough). In my experience, a large percentage of clients use or abuse substances in an attempt to control symptoms and emotions resulting from past trauma and neglect. I can't understand a treatment philosophy that instructs its counselors to ignore that…it simply ignores causality.
Have you looked into the TREM model? http://www.nrepp.samhsa.gov/ViewIntervention.aspx?id=158
I agree--I have worked with substance abusing/dependent clients for 20+ years and trauma is so widespread it is surprising we having integrated trauma work in treatment as a standard topic--not all would be ready for it, but as one responder noted (thanks Clark Rector) Seeking Safety can be used as it is more of a foundation of skills that help one handle certain issues, feelings, etc. when they occur (DBT skills training comes to mind as well)
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