For those working in behavior change or addiction treatment, one challenge that can arise is understanding and effectively addressing co-occurring disorders: when mental health disorders and substance use disorders exist simultaneously. These overlapping conditions complicate treatment, requiring an integrated approach.
Often, mental health challenges drive a person to unhealthy or harmful substance-using behaviors. However, in the long run, substance use can worsen and complicate a client’s mental health. This can put an individual in a cyclical pattern that can be more difficult to treat.
Historically, mental health care and addiction treatment were separated, putting clients in the position to navigate separate care systems. This lack of connection could leave many individuals under-treated, misdiagnosed or left to a pattern of returns to use. However, with new advancements in research and a growing body of evidence pointing to the inseparable nature of mental health challenges and addiction, treatment is evolving to incorporate an integrated approach.
Developing treatment plans for co-occurring conditions involves adopting individualized strategies that address the whole person. With this approach, clinicians have the opportunity to drive transformative change. By promoting integrated treatment models that use evidence-based approaches, clinicians can champion a holistic, long-lasting form of care that has lasting effects beyond clients’ time in treatment.
This is not just a shift in treatment but in mindset — looking at the person beyond their dual diagnoses and taking steps to create individualized, trauma-informed care plans that treat both disorders in tandem.
The customizable Co-occurring Conditions curriculum offers a comprehensive solution, equipping clinicians with the tools needed to support clients facing these dual challenges. This curriculum has a foundation in evidence-based practices, combining cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, stages of change and a trauma-sensitive approach. The Journals in this curriculum can combine efforts to treat co-occurring disorders that can overlap and become difficult to treat separately.
Treating co-occurring conditions with digital interventions can also streamline care for providers and help clients receive the individualized care they need. Digital interventions can improve client outcomes by improving client engagement through multimedia resources, individualizing treatment and providing immediate feedback and support. Digital interventions can also offer support to waitlisted individuals and streamline session-planning and documentation for providers. The Co-Occurring Conditions curriculum is now available in a digital format on Atlas, our HIPAA compliant programming platform, offering a myriad of benefits to both clients and providers.
These flexible interventions can help providers offer evidence-based, individualized programming to clients managing co-occurring conditions. By addressing both substance use and mental health disorders concurrently, providers can improve overall treatment outcomes. Clients are more likely to achieve and maintain recovery when their whole health is taken into consideration.
Person-centered, individualized skill-building resources are key to guiding clients toward successful outcomes in recovery. Our digital intervention platform, Atlas, can help. Atlas delivers hundreds of topics related to addiction treatment, coping skills, and trauma education, allowing staff to tailor treatment to meet individual needs.
To learn more about Atlas and how it supports treatment organizations like yours, download the Treatment Atlas Overview here.