Integrating Treatment for Co-Occurring Mental Health Conditions

Abstract

Given the high co-occurrence between alcohol use disorder (AUD) and mental health conditions (MHCs), and the increased morbidity associated with the presence of co-occurring disorders, it is important that co-occurring disorders be identified and both disorders addressed in integrated treatment. Tremendous heterogeneity exists among individuals with co-occurring conditions, and factors related to both AUD and MHCs, including symptom type and acuity, illness severity, the chronicity of symptoms, and recovery capital, should be considered when recommending treatment interventions. This article reviews the prevalence of co-occurring AUD and MHCs, screening tools to identify individuals with symptoms of AUD and MHCs, and subsequent assessment of co-occurring disorders. Types of integrated treatment and current challenges to integrate treatment for co-occurring disorders effectively are reviewed. Innovative uses of technology to improve education on co-occurring disorders and treatment delivery are also discussed. Systemic challenges exist to providing integrated treatment in all treatment settings, and continued research is needed to determine ways to improve access to treatment.

Vital Signs: Characteristics of Drug Overdose Deaths Involving Opioids and Stimulants — 24 States and the District of Columbia, January–June 2019

“…and mental health treatment can improve treatment outcomes, which could help reduce drug overdoses (11,19). Finally, presence of a bystander at nearly four in 10 opioid-and stimulantinvolved overdose deaths suggests a need to increase bystander naloxone training, access, and use (5,12).…”

“…Targeting common fatal overdose circumstances with effective and promising public health interventions can prevent deaths (7). Examples include treating underlying substance use disorder (8), targeting important touchpoints to facilitate linkage to treatment (e.g., during treatment for a nonfatal drug overdose or upon release from incarceration) (9,10), providing mental health treatment (11), and expanding community naloxone distribution (12). * https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/drug-overdose-data.htm.…”

Components of Outpatient Child and Youth Concurrent Disorders Programs: A Critical Interpretive Synthesis: Composantes des programmes de troubles concomitants des enfants et des jeunes ambulatoires : une synthèse interprétative critique

“…10 Gaps in existing services have led to the development of integrated concurrent disorders programs in which patients receive care for both SUDs and other mental illnesses, by the same treatment teams and at the same time, providing coordinated care with consistent messaging. 18 There is evidence from randomized controlled trials that integrated treatment of major depression and SUDs in adolescents results in improvement in symptoms of both disorders. [19][20][21] In contrast to studies of integrated interventions, studies of integrated treatment programs are limited.…”

Associations between new health conditions and healthcare service utilizations among older adults in the United Kingdom: effects of COVID-19 risks, worse financial situation, and lowered income

“…Objectively, self-reports of treatment for secondary health conditions [ 9 ], affordable care [ 10 ], and mental health problems [ 11 ] were identified as potential predictors of treatment. Moreover, co-occurring health conditions often need collaborative care in the treatment [ 12 ] and integrating treatment [ 13 ]. Empirically, the association between health conditions demonstrates the need to consider in the context of other health hazards or different healthcare settings [ 14 ].…”