The Role of Gender in Engaging the Dually Diagnosed in Treatment

Individuals with both a serious mental illness and substance abuse are particularly difficult to engage in treatment. Given known gender differences in both substance abuse and schizophrenia, the authors examined the impact of gender on treatment engagement. Qualitative interviews with ten males and eleven females focused on how the client perceived the engagement process, and what obstacles they faced. While both males and females are difficult to engage, the interviews suggest that they experience the process differently and that they face different obstacles. The authors discuss the implication for service providers.