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The Role of Gender in Engaging the Dually Diagnosed in Treatment

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Abstract

Individuals with both a serious mental illnessand substance abuse are particularly difficult to engagein treatment. Given known gender differences in bothsubstance abuse and schizophrenia, we examined the impact of gender on treatment engagement.Qualitative interviews with ten males and eleven femalesfocused on how the client perceived the engagementprocess, and what obstacles they faced. While both males and females are difficult to engage, theinterviews suggest that they experience the processdifferently and that they face different obstacles. Wediscuss the implication for service providers.

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Watkins, K.E., Shaner, A. & Sullivan, G. The Role of Gender in Engaging the Dually Diagnosed in Treatment. Community Ment Health J 35, 115–126 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018716629998

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