title: Assertive Community Treatment for patients with chronic and severe mental illness who abuse drugs.
abstract: The Assertive Community Treatment model of mental health service delivery has been extensively studied and has undergone various modifications over the past twenty years. This article describes a modified ACT Team approach to the treatment of individuals who suffer from severe comorbid mental illness and substance abuse. Demographics of patients who are chosen to receive these intensive services, service utilization patterns, and elements of team treatment are discussed. Comparisons with less severely ill dual diagnosis patients who receive more traditional case management services are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle 98104-2499, USA.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wingerson
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Ries
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000379:methods*; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry) / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008329:Managed Care Programs; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents