Factors Affecting Engagement of Dual Diagnosis Patients in Outpatient Treatment

This study examined factors associated with engagement in outpatient treatment of patients with dual diagnoses of psychiatric disorder and substance use disorder. The charts of all 57 patients referred to a dual diagnosis treatment program during a six-month period were reviewed, and data on patients' substance use diagnosis, psychiatric diagnosis, sex, ethnicity, and referral source were collected. Patients referred from inpatient treatment were more likely to attend three or more appointments at the dual diagnosis program than those referred from outpatient treatment. Substance of abuse interacted with both referral source and sex in predicting engagement.