Responding to the challenge of co-occurring disorders: Suggestions for future research

Abstract

This special issue consolidates some recent research findings and scientific thought on co-occurring disorders from both the substance abuse and mental health fields. This summary article recaps and synthesizes the main findings and themes, then considers additional issues in the field today to arrive at an agenda for future co-occurring disorders research. Plans must: (1) encourage and assist further development of treatment programs that respond to an array of types and severities of co-occurring disorders while taking into account the limited resources typically available; (2) continue the development and testing of continuing care models by exploring strategies that will sustain the recovery of treated individuals who remain vulnerable to relapse; and (3) contribute to our understanding of the mechanisms and processes that enable new interventions and practices to be adopted, implemented, and sustained. "Co-occurring disorders" is a relatively new area of research; this special issue illustrates the productivity of work to date and indicates the potential for advances to come.

Predictors of mismatched community mental health care among persons with co-occurring substance use and mental disorders

“…This is consistent with more than three decades worth of studies, research syntheses, and program and policy initiatives that document the problems in responding to persons with co-occurring disorders within formal systems of mental health care (Sacks, Chandler, & Gonzales, 2008). The most salient of these system-level challenges include a lack of reliable and valid screening and assessment protocols across jurisdictions (Sacks, Melrtick, & Grella, 2008), inadequate training of professionals in the treatment of co-occurring disorders (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2002), lack of integration across addictions, mental health, medical and criminal justice sectors (Rush & Nadeau, 2011), and a range of patient-level clinical and demographic variables (Rush & Koegl, 2008).…”

Differences in self and independent ratings on an organisational dual diagnosis capacity measure

“…Co-occurring disorders are common in alcohol and other drug treatment and services are increasingly being called upon to augment their treatment in order to improve their capacity to respond [1].…”

Leadership and Licensure for Drug Treatment and the Implementation of Co-Occurring Disorder Treatment in Community Mental Health Centers

“…Using a random sample of urban mental health programs, this preliminary study relied on a highly used scale of COD treatment processes and qualitative data gathered in focus groups to examine the extent to which directorial leadership and program licensure for drug treatment in community-based mental health programs is associated with COD treatment in Los Angeles County, California. By examining the influence of directorial leadership and regulatory licensing on COD service capacity, the present study responded to the call from Sacks, Chandler, and Gonzales (2008) for research to better examine the mechanisms that support the successful adoption and sustainment of treatment interventions in COD practice settings. The principal goal of this study was to examine the extent to which program licensure for drug treatment services in mental health programs and leadership capacity among directors are associated with implementation of COD treatment-related components.…”