Co-Occurring Disorders Treatment

Millions of Americans experience co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Integrated treatment for these disorders is now a priority for Maryland and most of the United States.

The Evidence-Based Practice Center is here to transfer knowledge, philosophies, skills, and technology to aid in delivering the best treatment possible to Maryland residents with both mental health and substance use disorders.

Our trainings are designed to help helping professionals gain the knowledge, philosophies, and skills needed to work with people who have both mental health and substance use disorders. Trainings include:

• Co-occurring Disorders (COD) Intensive Training Series
• Co-occurring Disorders (COD) Basics Training Series
• Co-occurring Disorders (COD) Advanced Practice Series

Learn About Co-occurring Trainings

View Resources

Why Treat Co-Occurring Disorders?

According to recent statistics from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA, 2021):

• They are common. Among adults in the United States, 6.7 percent (17 million people) had both a mental illness and a substance use disorder in 2020.
• There is a great need. Nearly half of these 17 million people did NOT receive services for either disorder.
• There is a gap for those with the most severe symptoms. In 2020, 2.2 percent (5.7 million people) had both a serious mental illness and substance use disorder and 33.6 percent (1.9 million people) didn’t receive services for either condition.
• Young adults are suffering. In 2020, people aged 18-25 with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders were less likely than older adults to have received treatment for both.
• It is a state priority. Maryland’s Public Behavioral Health System (PBHS) is committed to establishing itself as a recovery-oriented system with integrated mental health and substance use disorder services available.

Improved Outcomes

Integrated and individualized services can lead to better outcomes, as described on the SAMHSA website:

• Reduced or discontinued substance use
• Improvement in psychiatric symptoms and functioning
• Increased chance for successful treatment and recovery for both disorders
• Improved quality of life
• Decreased hospitalization
• Reduced medication interactions
• Increased housing stability
• Fewer arrests (SAMHSA, 2022)

It Is All About the Relationship

Behavioral health research has consistently demonstrated that a person’s relationship with their treatment provider increases their chances for recovery. In the past, it was commonly believed that people needed to be confronted in treatment before they could find recovery. We now know that compassion, empathy, and warmth are the critical ingredients in the therapeutic relationship.

References

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (2021). Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (HHS Publication No. PEP21-07-01-003, NSDUCH Series H-56). Rockville, MD: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Retrieved from https://www.samhsa.gov/data/

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2022 June 27). Co-occurring disorders. Retrieved August 4, 2022 from https://www.samhsa.gov/co-occurring-disorders