| Summary: | The objective of this research was to describe the use and utility of a dual diagnosis assessment scale and intervention strategies package for clinical and community mental health staff to better engage service users and explore reasons for use regarding dual diagnosis issues. A case study was developed, with the service user’s consent, to be used to train others in use of the Reasons for Use Package (RFUP). Findings were that the RFUP can enable staff to better tune in to service users in terms of how they are managing symptoms, side effects, social situations, peer pressure, affect and ambivalence. The RFUP helped enable the service user to feel a sense of being listened to and respected with regard to their dual diagnosis experiences. Conclusions drawn were that service users can engage with dual diagnosis assessment more readily when workers use dual diagnosis tools and mentoring purpose-designed to enhance an understanding of motivations and reasons for use of substances.
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