Co-occuring Disorders
Click to increase the text size. Restore Text
Click to restore original text size. Reduce Text
Click to decrease the text size.
Dual Diagnosis Capability in Addiction Treatment
The Dual Diagnosis Capability in Addiction Treatment (DDCAT) is an instrument that assesses a providers’ ability to provide co-occurring disorder (COD) services. Currently, twenty states are using the DDCAT to guide the development of standardized treatment services for individuals with COD. The instrument, developed by Mark P. McGovern, Ph.D. of Dartmouth University, is endorsed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. There is also a version that is adapted for mental health programs, the Dual Diagnosis Treatment Capability in Mental Health Treatment (DDCMHT) instrument. The DDCAT instruments were validated in substance abuse treatment, mental health treatment, primary care and general medical settings.
Providers simply self-administer the DDCAT, which typically requires one day. The results are based upon the providers’ answers to a number of questions on a variety of issues concerning:
- Program Environment
- Clinical Process: Assessment
- Clinical Process: Treatment
- Continuity of Care
- Program Structure
- Staffing
- Training
The pilot follows the endorsement of the DDCAT by the Co-Occurring Disorders Joint Action Council (COJAC). COJAC is a body of substance abuse and mental health experts that advise the Directors of the Departments of Mental Health and Alcohol and Drug Programs on issues relating to COD.
Administering the DDCAT provides organizations with an objective evaluation of their program’s strengths and weaknesses. The DDCAT is user friendly and concrete. It also identifies specific avenues for change should an organization wish to expand its COD capability by providing a baseline for the development of action plans.
The DDCAT has been placed in the public domain and is free to use. You may download the DDCAT Index and Manual files (PDF) here:
Dual Diagnosis Capability in Mental Health Treatment
The Dual Diagnosis Capability in Mental Health Treatment (DDCMHT) is also in the public domain and is free to use. You may download the DDCMHT Index and manual (PDF) here: