Living with Co-Occurring Addiction and Mental Health Disorders: A Handbook for Recovery

A groundbreaking, user-friendly handbook of proven-effective strategies for individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. About eleven million people in North America have a substance use disorder and at least one other mental health disorder. Those who struggle with this combination may be faced with a powerful recipe for destruction, especially self-destruction. The good news is that there is help. This handbook draws from an evidence-based program by a team at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, internationally recognized pioneers in the integrated treatment of co-occurring disorders. Living with Co-occurring Addiction and Mental Health Disorders is designed to inform and empower those with such "dual disorders." Author Mark McGovern shows how they can make informed choices about their own treatment and, together with a trained clinician, shape a program that works. Key topics include: getting an assessment; reviewing treatment options; selecting the right treatment team; setting achievable goals and making positive changes with cognitive-behavioral therapy; building a support network of family and friends; and connecting with others recovering from co-occurring disorders. Informative, thorough, and easy to follow, this book has helped many people with co-occurring disorders thrive and be their own best recovery advocates.