CONTEXT

Dual Diagnosis represents a crossed association (co-existence or co-morbidity, if you prefer) of two clinical situations: the existence of a mental disorder on the one hand, and on the other, the pathological use of toxic substances (inadequate consumption or abuse as well as drug dependency).

Traditionally, those affected by a Dual Diagnosis were not able to benefit from the support services addressed to people with mental health problems or drug problems because of the specific nature of each of those networks.

In response to the needs presented by that group of people, Asociación DUAL was founded in June 2000. This organization started managing its first flat in August of the same year with the aim to offer a comprehensive rehab service to those affected with this disorder.

Currently, Asociación DUAL, through a public service managing contract with the Antidrug Agency of the Province of Madrid, manages one treatment support flats in the city of Madrid, with fourteen places each for the treatment of men who suffer Dual Diagnosis, offering clinical and psychosocial monitoring 24 hours a day.

It also manages, by applying to grants, a Supervised Continuity Flat with a self-management regime and clinical and educational support customized for three patients with Dual Diagnosis. Finally, an Information and Advisory Service has been created with the aim to meet the needs of the three targeted groups linked to Dual Diagnosis: those affected, their families and professionals.

• Definitions
• Characteristics
• Origin of the disorder
• Explicatory Models
• Operational hypothesis
• Complementary Hypothesis

• Context
• Definitions
• Characteristics and associated circumstances
• Origin of the disorder and clinical predominance
• Explicatory Models
• Operational hypothesis: Crossed vulnerability
• Complementary Hypothesis