When Integrated Treatment for Co-occurring Disorders May Be Needed
Mental health symptoms and substance use begin to influence each other and affect stability
Substances are used to manage anxiety, mood, or stress
Mental health symptoms become more difficult to stabilize over time
Cycles of improvement are followed by relapse or symptom return
Daily functioning is affected by overlapping symptoms
Treatment focused on only one condition does not lead to consistent improvement
How Co-occurring Conditions Are Evaluated and Treated Together
Assessment focuses on how mental health and substance use interact and affect functioning
Evaluation considers symptom patterns, substance use history, and how each condition affects the other, so care can be matched to the person’s needs.​
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Care is structured as integrated mental health and substance use treatment based on clinical needs and level of support required.
Mental Health and Substance Use Conditions We Treat Together
Co-occurring disorders include a combination of mental health and substance use conditions
Anxiety disorders with substance use
Depression with substance use
Bipolar disorder with substance use
PTSD and ADHD with substance use
Other co occurring mental health disorders alongside substance use disorders
Medication Management to Stabilize Symptoms and Support Recovery
A core part of treatment focused on stabilization, symptom control, and long-term support
Medication management is integrated into care planning and may include medications used to stabilize mental health symptoms and support recovery from substance use if needed.
This may include clinically appropriate options such as Vivitrol or buprenorphine-based medications (Suboxone, Subutex, Sublocade, Brixadi) used as part of medication-assisted treatment to help reduce cravings, support stabilization, and lower the risk of relapse when appropriate. ​
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Treatment is delivered by licensed psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners with extensive experience, coordinated across programs and integrated with therapy and structured services, all tailored to each individual’s needs and treatment response.
How Integrated Treatment Addresses Both Conditions Together
Care is structured to break the cycle between mental health symptoms and substance use
Our treatment programs for co-occurring (dual diagnosis) disorders are based on the CCISC (Comprehensive, Continuous, Integrated System of Care) model (Zia Partners, 2009). Recovery involves moving through stages of change and phases of recovery for each co-occurring condition or issue.
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Treatment is designed to reduce the interaction between symptoms, improve stability, and support ongoing recovery.​​
What Co-occurring Disorders Treatment May Include
Care is structured to stabilize both conditions and improve overall functioning
Treatment may include:
Comprehensive, bio-psychosocal assessment
Medication management when needed
Individual and group therapy
Residential treatment
Structured substance use and mental health programs
Levels of Care Based on Stability and Support Needs
Care is matched to symptom severity and the level of structure required
Outpatient Treatment
Coordinated co-occurring disorders treatment, including individual therapy, substance use treatment, and medication management when needed
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
Structured support multiple times per week with consistent clinical monitoring, including medication management when needed, typically delivered in 3 sessions per week
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
Full-day treatment without overnight stay, including medication management when needed, typically delivered 5 days per week
Residential Treatment
Structured environment when higher support is needed, including medication management when needed and ongoing clinical supervision
Medication management is integrated across all levels of care and used when needed to support stabilization, symptom control, and treatment adjustment.
Mental Health Conditions Commonly Involved in Co-occurring Disorders
These conditions are often treated alongside substance use within an integrated approach
Co-occurring and Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Co-occurring disorders treatment, also called dual diagnosis treatment, include integrated care for individuals experiencing both mental health conditions and substance use disorders. Treatment is designed to address how these conditions interact and affect stability, functioning, and recovery.
Coordinated mental health and substance use care across different levels of care. Treatment options may include outpatient dual diagnosis treatment, co occurring disorders therapy, residential and structured integrated behavioral health treatment based on clinical needs.