Aftercare Compliance: Perceptions of People with Dual Diagnoses

This descriptive study was designed to learn, from the perspective of dually diagnosed inpatients, what factors affect their maintenance of an aftercare program. Ten audio-recorded focus groups were conducted using a structured interview schedule; additionally, patients participated in structured brief individual interviews, and their medical records were reviewed for demographic data and chief complaints on admission. Despite the numerous obstacles encountered by this population intrapersonally, interpersonally, environmentally, and socially, participants were able to provide (a) specific information to increase the understanding of compliance from their perspective and (b) recommendations for health care professionals to facilitate adherence to aftercare treatment plans.