Clinical implications of the co-occurrence of substance use and other psychiatric disorders

The co-occurrence of substance use and psychiatric disorders is the rule rather than the exception in mental health and substance use treatment settings across the United States. Such co-occurrence may call for special assessment and evaluation procedures, modified treatment plans, and specialized follow-up. Treatment of co-occurrence of substance abuse and psychiatric disorders requires more cross-disciplinary collaboration; greater integration of substance use, mental health, and social services treatment approaches; and modifications in the training of care providers.