The DDCAT and DDCMHT indexes
The Dual Diagnosis Capability in Addiction Treatment (DDCAT) Index is used to assess addiction treatment agencies on their capacity to deliver services to people with co-occurring disorders. The Dual Diagnosis Capability in Mental Health Treatment (DDCMHT) is an adaptation of the DDCAT for application in mental health settings.
The DDCAT and DDCMHT provide a program-level assessment. Information is gathered during a site visit and drawn from assessor observations, interviews, and review of materials. These data are then used to complete ratings on 35 benchmarks regarding policy, clinical practice, and workforce domains.
The DDCAT and DDCMHT establish benchmarks for providing evidence-based treatment services to people with co-occurring disorders. The DDCAT is currently being used across 30 states as a program assessment tool.
(The Hazelden Co-occurring Disorders Program is based on the findings, observations, and studies of more than 200 addiction treatment programs using the DDCAT.)
Seven dimensions
The DDCAT and DDCMHT assess seven areas:
1. Program Structure
2. Program Milieu
3. Clinical Practice: Assessment
4. Clinical Practice: Treatment
5. Continuity of Care
6. Staffing
7. Training
See: Indexes measure program across seven dimensions
Scoring
Each of these program areas or dimensions receives a score. Based on the program's overall score, the program or agency is categorized as:
-
Addiction Only Services (AOS)
-
Mental Health Only Services (MHOS)
-
Dual Diagnosis Capable (DDC)
-
Dual Diagnosis Enhanced (DDE)
See: What does my DDCAT/DDCMHT score mean?
The DDCAT index was developed and tested in community addiction treatment programs and systems. Psychometric studies have also been conducted. The DDCAT has been used in multiple state systems and internationally, and the index is also being used to assess private treatment programs and systems.
