Residential treatment for dually diagnosed homeless veterans: a comparison of program types

FRANÇAIS :
Cette étude compare deux types de programmes de traitement résidentiel du double diagnostic chez des vétérans sans domicile. Le premier programme s'attache uniquement à traiter les désordres liés à la toxicomanie tandis que le deuxième prend en compte les désordres psychiatriques et toxicomaniaques. Il semblerait que le deuxième programme respecte plus les problèmes comportementaux dus à l'abus de drogues et adapte des règles de logements plus souples favorisant l'intimité du patient. Grâce à ce programme les patients peuvent intégrer des foyers collectifs rapidement et reprendre une vie sociale. Cependant ce programme de traitement se limite à des toxicomanes non psychotiques.
ENGLISH :
The study compared two types of residential programs that treat dually diagnosed homeless veterans. Programs specializing in the treatment of substance abuse disorders (SA) and those programs addressing both psychiatric disorders and substance abuse problems within the same setting (DDX). DDX programs were characterized by lower expectations for functionning, more acceptance of problem behavior, and more accommodation for choice and privacy, relative to SA programs after adjusting for baseline differences. Although differences were modest, integration of substance abuse and psychiatric treatment may promote a faster return to community living for dually diagnosed homeless veterans. Such integration did not differentially benefit dually diagnosed veterans whose psychiatric problems included a psychotic disorder.(From authors' abstract)