DRA began to form in Kansas City in 1989. The members were men and women who experienced a dual disorder. Their goals were simple:Apply the principles of the Twelve Steps to both their chemical dependency and their emotional or psychiatric illness.Provide meetings where members could openly discuss recovery issues regarding both of their illnesses with other members who could relate to their experiences and offer one another support.Carry the message of recovery to others who experienced dual disorders and help develop DRA as an organization that could offer assistance to others who wish to establish DRA groups.