The National Dual Diagnosis Programme (National Mental Health Development Unit, Department of Health) commissioned a group of consultant nurses (PROGRESS) and Coventry University to develop an innovative online awareness raising resource relating to people who have both mental health and drug/alcohol use issues (also known as "dual diagnosis").

The e-learning dual diagnosis modules aim to provide an e-learning training resource for practitioners, service users, carers and the public to raise awareness of dual diagnosis. This means an awareness of the basic issues, and is not intended to create dual diagnosis “specialists” or replace skills-based training, although it would serve as a good introduction prior to commencing a more formal training course. This program is free to access, and aimed at clinical staff, people who use services and their carers, and other interested parties such as police, ambulance staff, prison officers etc.

The e-learning programme consists of 4 modules:

1. Introduction to dual diagnosis including definitions, impact and attitudes

2. Mental health awareness and how it impacts on drug/alcohol use

3. Substance use awareness and how it impacts on mental health

4. Skills and interventions focusing on the process of change and what helps.

Visit the modules

This resource was developed independently by PROGRESS and Coventry University and not directly from the NICE guidance. The content reflects the NICE guidance, with additional information, and facilitates its implementation. NICE has undertaken a check of the resource at the point at which this link was published and is satisfied that it broadly supports the guidance. However NICE is unable to confirm that all of the content at any one time accurately reflects the guidance, and therefore no guarantees are given either by NICE in this regard. If an individual clinician has any queries or concerns about the relationship between NICE guidance and this educational resource they should always refer to the original guidance published by NICE, and this should in all cases be regarded as the only definitive statement of the guidance.