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Empirical evidence suggests that a complex relationship exists between substance misuse, mental illness and violence in forensic populations. Therefore, effective treatment and intervention is essential in order for this population to live a life free from substance use and offending behaviour. This paper discusses the literature related to interventions for dual diagnosis and how this may be related to mentally disordered offenders. The paper also highlights paucities in the literature where further research is needed to inform practice, and concludes with current recommendations for best practice.

Substance misuse that is co‐morbid with mental disorder may increase the risk of crime, particularly of a violent nature. It is therefore essential that dual‐diagnosis patients in forensic services receive adequate intervention and treatment to minimise future substance use and potential for criminal behaviour. One such intervention is the Relapse Prevention Programme (Saying No; Coping and Social Skills Programme) developed in a high secure forensic hospital. An evaluation of the programme was conducted, with pre‐ and post‐ intervention using four measures, the Drug Taking Confidence Questionnaire (DTCQ), the Multidimensional Locus of Control Questionnaire, the Stages of Change Questionnaire and the Rosenberg Self‐Esteem Scale, with 83 male participants who had completed the programme. Results indicate that there was significant change in the DTCQ post‐treatment while no other measures yielded a statistically significant result. Possible reasons, implication for practice and limitations of the current study are discussed.

This study explores dual‐diagnosis patients' perspectives on a relapse prevention programme in a special hospital. Few qualitative studies have been conducted to explore the views and lived experience of dual‐diagnosis patients, and none has used qualitative methodology to investigate their subjective experience of a treatment programme. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was employed to gain a perspective on the patients' experience of the programme. Five previous members of the relapse prevention programme were randomly selected for interview. Transcripts were analysed using IPA and revealed four master themes: ‘former self’, ‘increasing self‐knowledge/awareness’, ‘group as a mediator’ and ‘future self’. The findings show that the subjective experience of group members emphasises the importance of interpersonal relationships, developing a supportive therapeutic alliance, and the learning and development of social and coping skills. The implications for amending and updating the current programme syllabus are discussed, along with the limitations of the current study.

In the novel, The Member of the Wedding, Carson McCullers probes the American malaise through the longings of a young adolescent girl. Twelve‐year‐old Frankie no longer sees the world as round and inviting as a school globe. No, the world is huge and cracked and turning a thousand miles an hour. Indeed, the world seems separate from herself. In the midst of chaos, Frankie sees her brother's upcoming wedding as a chance to feel connected, to feel that she matters. The story focuses on Frankie's efforts to be a “member of the wedding,” as she recognizes, “they are the we of me.”