As many as half of all people who arrive at mental health clinics or addiction treatment facilities have co-occurring disorders. These clients need effective, integrated care for both their disorders--and they need guidance in preventing relapse and developing the skills necessary to maintain healthy, balanced lives. With the Recovery Life Skills Program, professionals have access to a unique, in-depth group curriculum for working with mentally ill clients ready to move on from substance use and improve their quality of life.

Developed by Lindy Fox, MA, LADC of the Dartmouth Psychiatric Research Center (PRC) to work hand-in-hand with Integrated Dual Diagnosis Treatment (IDDT), the Recovery Life Skills Program is a stage wise, 18-module curriculum for working with those who are at the active treatment, continuing care, or recovery support stages of care. Sessions are presented in a group format, starting with such traditional relapse-prevention topics as recognizing triggers and building drug and alcohol refusal skills, then moving to developing the life skills necessary to build and maintain a healthy recovery life plan. Focus areas include:

Coping with negative feelings
Recognizing triggers for substance use
Dealing with social situations involving alcohol or other drugs
Developing communication skills
Participating in peer support groups
Practicing spirituality and inner peace
Developing a positive self-image
Adopting health eating and exercise habits


Utilizing evidence-based protocols, the Recovery Life Skills Program has been research tested at eight pilot sites by Dartmouth researchers. This easy-to-implement curriculum includes a facilitator's guide with step-by-step session instructions and reproducible client handouts--everything you need for rapid integration into your program.