A relapse prevention group for patients with bipolar and substance use disorders

Although bipolar disorder is the Axis I disorder associated with the highes t risk of having a coexisting substance use disorder, no specific treatment approaches for this dually diagnosed patient population have thus far been developed. This paper describes a 20-session relapse prevention group ther apy that the authors have developed for the treatment of patients with coex isting bipolar disorder and substance use disorder. The treatment uses an i ntegrated approach by discussing topics that are relevant to both disorders and by highlighting common aspects of recovery,from and relapse to each di sorder. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.