Co-Occurring Treatment Focus

Co-Occurring Disorders (COD) are defined as when an individual has a combination of any SUD or any mental health condition, though individuals with COD can have physical health conditions as well. The significant co-morbidity of SUDs and mental illness (typically reported as 40-80%, depending on study characteristics and population) and the growing body of research associating poorer outcomes with a lack of targeted treatment efforts have highlighted the importance of addressing the unique needs of this population.

Integrated treatment coordinates substance use and mental health interventions to treat the whole person more effectively. As such, integrated care broadly refers to ensuring that COD treatment interventions are combined within a primary treatment relationship or service setting. While Pax does not provide primary mental health care, our system of care brings the necessary outside mental health services into the substance abuse treatment process to provide a comprehensive approach to our treatment model.

Pax Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program with Co-Occurring focus may not be the right fit for individuals who cannot perform their ADLs, need medication management and/or have such severe mental health symptoms that the individual requires continuous support in more managed environment. However, for those who can self-manage their mental health symptoms on an outpatient basis, Pax utilizes multiple evidence-based psychosocial interventions that have been demonstrated to be effective for the COD population include motivational enhancement and cognitive–behavioral techniques. These strategies are tailored to the client’s unique stage of recovery. Additionally, Pax promotes12-Step and other dual recovery mutual self-help groups that may be valuable as a means of supporting individuals with COD.

Pax encourages the use of appropriate psychotropic medications and addiction medications as an essential component of the treatment of individuals with CODs. Oftentimes, the appropriate use of medications can help clients with a COD stabilize and control their symptoms so that they can better focus on their recovery for either their SUD or mental health condition. Research has clearly demonstrated that medications used in conjunction with psychosocial interventions for both SUDs and mental illness are preferable and lead to better outcomes than either intervention alone. An important component of the treatment of our clients with CODs is thus ensuring a recovery environment that is supportive of the various and individualized paths to recovery that many clients with CODs take. This includes ensuring medication compliance through active case management, care coordination and interactive treatment planning. While staff at Pax do not prescribe, administer, handle or destroy medication, our staff are prepared to facilitate the client’s treatment with medications for SUDs and mental health conditions when necessary.

In summary, our treatment of clients with COD encompasses a comprehensive and flexible approach that includes wrap-around coordination with other integral mental health systems of care.

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