|
Creating Integrated Treatment Systems
Currently, in the United States, individuals with co-occurring
disorders must negotiate separate substance abuse and mental
health treatment systems that are
not always able to meet the full range of their needs. SAMHSA, along with
many other federal, state and local agencies, are recognizing
the value of creating
integrated systems of care for people with co-occurring disorders.
SAMHSA Administrator, Charles Curie notes, "Our goal is to create a system
that allows any door to be the right door for the services an individual needs.
It is the right thing to do. Any person entering mental health care, substance
abuse treatment, or primary care should be screened for mental disorders and
substance abuse, then provided appropriate treatment."
SAMHSA, in its report
to Congress,
defines integrated treatment as "any mechanism by which treatment interventions
for co-occurring disorders are combined within the context of a primary treatment
relationship or service setting" (CSAT, in press).
The report also indicates that effective treatment for co-occurring disorders
should include:
- time-sensitive screening
- comprehensive assessment
- program-oriented and specific clinical interventions of medications and
psychosocial treatments
Resources on Integrated Treatment Systems:
|
