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Date: March 6, 2003
Media Contact: SAMHSA Media
Phone: 301-443-8956

 

 

New Study Highlights Effective Treatment for Co-Occurring Disorders

 

A new report released today by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and two national organizations outlines effective treatment strategies for individuals who suffer from both mental illness and substance abuse disorders.

 

“Strategies for Developing Treatment Programs for People With Co-Occurring Substance Abuse and Mental Disorders” is a joint effort of the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare, the State Associations of Addiction Services and SAMHSA.

 

"Science and countless personal stories demonstrate co-occurring mental and addictive disorders are treatable and recovery is possible,” said SAMHSA Administrator Charles G. Curie.  “The systems of services that help make recovery possible have evolved in exciting ways over the past few decades.  The time has come to ensure that all Americans who experience co-occurring disorders have access to appropriate, integrated treatment and supportive services.  This new report offers creative and innovative ways to initiate change and develop innovative programs that provide services for individuals of all ages who have co-occurring disorders.”

 

The report contains descriptions of programs in diverse settings that deliver effective treatment for different types of people with co-occurring disorders.  The materials describe strategies and tools that are simple, inexpensive and replicable.  In the report, programs describe how they were able to access and leverage local, state and federal funds that provide basic support for treatment.

 

]“We are excited about the report’s contents and very pleased that this represents the first time to our knowledge that a co-occurring inquiry of this size has been undertaken by representatives of both the mental health and substance abuse provider communities, said Charles G. Ray, National Council National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare President and CEO. “The result is a candid assessment, from various points of view, of what works and what does not work. We believe the findings offer practical guidance and real-world solutions to those who have struggled with launching their own co-occurring disorder treatment programs.”

 

David Faulkner, President of State Associations of Addiction Services, commented, “This report highlights what treatment providers are all too aware of: that our regulations, funding streams, organizational structures, and patterns of practice were not designed to facilitate treatment of clients with co-occurring disorders.  But the report also indicates that determined and creative leaders can overcome those obstacles.  Our challenge now is to show public officials and treatment professionals how to eliminate the barriers and design effective systems of care.”

 

The report recommends next steps that include:

  • Strengthening systems of care at the state, county, and regional levels;

  • Fostering workforce development strategies;

  • Developing roadmap products that will build on current knowledge for developing treatment programs and systems of care;

  • Promoting networking among participants and other stakeholders involved in building treatment programs and systems of care for people with co-occurring disorders;

  • Enabling these groups to share information and tools more easily;

  • Increasing program support, especially as programs transition from grants to ongoing sources of revenue;

  • Establishing new approaches to funding issues.  

The report is available online at the National Council’s website www.nccbh.org/cooccurringreport.pdf and at the SAAS website, www.saasnet.org . Additional copies are also available by calling SAMHSA ‘s clearinghouse at (800) 789-2647.

 

The National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare is the country’s oldest and largest membership organization dedicated to ensuring appropriate and affordable mental health and substance abuse service for our most vulnerable populations. The National Council is dedicated to the provision of accessible, effective, and cost-efficient behavioral healthcare services for all Americans.

 

State Associations of Addiction Services (SAAS) is a nonprofit organization whose membership consists of state drug and alcohol abuse prevention and addiction treatment associations.  The state associations offer education, training, advocacy, information dissemination, and technology transfer services for their member community-based service providers.
 
 

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a public health agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the lead federal agency for improving the quality and availability of substance abuse prevention, addiction treatment and mental health services in the United States. Information on SAMHSA's programs is available on this website, www.samhsa.gov. 
 
 

 

 

This page was last updated on 10 March, 2003
SAMHSA is An Agency of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
 

New Study Highlights Effective Treatment for Co-Occurring Disorders