The impact of family violence often becomes apparent for AOD clients when we explore a client’s history. However, how do AOD agencies really respond when clients present with a “Dual Presentation” of substance abuse and family violence? This group run the similar risk of our clients who have both mental health and AOD, who are often treated in two ‘silos’. The Northern Assessment, Referral and Treatment Team (NARTT) has responded with an integrated approach to this increasing demand.

NARTT is a unique counselling program targeted at offenders of substance related offences and also offenders of family violence. The program also offers support to victims and family members. The model is characterised by a unique partnership with police, based on the UK’s highly successful ‘Arrest Referral’ model of substance abuse treatment. The original AOD program was adapted to include clients with family violence issues after the local police identified this as a growing concern.

As the program expanded, the correlation between substance abuse and family violence began to increase. In 2006, a total of 10% of clients referred to the program presented with both substance and family violence issues. In 2007, this number doubled to 130 clients presenting with this “Dual Presentation”.

Instead of opting to treat the issues in isolation or refer these clients out, NARTT began to explore ways to provide an integrated response. The team expanded their skills and knowledge by strengthening relationships with police and family violence services, along with additional training. New programs were developed to provide additional support to these clients, including therapeutic groups for offenders and victims of family violence and anger management workshops.

This papers aims to discuss the issue of “Dual Presentations” for AOD agencies, and offer examples of how to respond effectively to provide better outcomes for clients