Behavioral Treatment for Substance Abuse in People with Serious and Persistent Mental Illness

Alan S Bellack

The last few years have seen an increasing awareness among the mental health community to the unique situations of the person suffering simultaneously from mental health disorders and substance abuse addiction. Complementing this rise in attention has been a realization of the unique challenges faced by mental health professionals engaged in the treatment of these clients, and a startling acknowledgement of the gap in the existing literature on the topic. There is currently no available treatment manual that includes specific training on how to treat this difficult population, following guidelines and practical instructions based on treatment practices already employed by the authors. This treatment manual will fill an important gap in the literature by addressing the specific challenges faced by the clinician treating individuals with co-occurring schizophrenia and substance abuse...