This study aims to explore young service users’ and carers’ experiences of dual diagnosis treatment, and their perceptions of the changes brought about by the implementation of integrated treatment in mental health services throughout Denmark. It also aims to explore which factors may come to work as barriers or facilitators to realizing the potential of integrated treatment for young people in practice.
The study is based on qualitative interviews with four young service users and four carers with experiences of dual diagnosis treatment in mental health and substance use services. Data was analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.
The study identified five needs to be addressed to facilitate the potential of integrated treatment in practice for young people: the need for the “whole person” to be seen; the need for trauma-informed care; the need for coherent, intersectoral services; the need for a paradigmatic shift in mental health services’ approach to substance use; and the need for developmentally informed care and early interventions.
Perspectives of young service users and carers are crucial in shaping novel mental health interventions such as integrated dual diagnosis treatment. The findings of this exploratory study highlight potential barriers and facilitators to realizing the potential of integrated treatment for young people, offering valuable insights to inform practice.
