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Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Multiple Treatment Targets: A Case Study of a Male with Comorbid Personality and Substance Use Disorders

  • Clinical Case Studies
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International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Dialectical behavior therapy has accrued substantial evidence as a treatment for individuals with borderline personality disorder. However, there are only two randomized clinical trials with individuals with comorbid substance use disorders. This case study presents Michael, a male client who sought treatment for his alcohol use, difficulties at work, and struggles with making and maintaining relationships. Michael engaged in dialectical behavior therapy that simultaneously addressed his substance use with comorbid borderline personality disorder. With this approach, the client exhibited reductions in substance use, suicidal ideation, self-harm, and increases in skillful behaviors. Results highlight the importance of continuing assessments with clients and using this information to inform therapy as well as provide an example of how trainees, with close supervision, can implement dialectical behavior therapy with a client with comorbid borderline personality and substance use disorders.

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Notes

  1. The client’s name and identifying information have been changed to protect his privacy. The local Institutional Review Board were contacted and stated that this case study did not require human subjects review.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Health Services Research & Development, Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered Value-Driven Care, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, 1660 S Columbian Way, Seattle, WA, 98108, USA

    Mandy D. Owens

  2. Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, USA

    Erica Nason

  3. University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA

    Elizabeth Yeater

Authors
  1. Mandy D. Owens
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  2. Erica Nason
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  3. Elizabeth Yeater
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mandy D. Owens.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

All procedures followed were in accordance with the ethical standards of the responsible committee on human experimentation (institutional and national) and with the Helsinki Declaration of 1975, as revised in 2000.

Informed Consent

Informed consent was not required for the client in this case study.

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Owens, M.D., Nason, E. & Yeater, E. Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Multiple Treatment Targets: A Case Study of a Male with Comorbid Personality and Substance Use Disorders. Int J Ment Health Addiction 16, 436–450 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-017-9798-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-017-9798-z

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