Press Release - Two New Briefs Outline Evidence-Based Practices and Care in Non-Traditional Settings for Those with Co-Occurring Disorders Date: 6/20/2007
Media Contact: SAMHSA Press
Telephone: 240-276-2130
Two new short papers from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration help treatment professionals, policymakers and others understand and address the needs of people with co-occurring substance use and mental disorders.
Addressing Co-Occurring Disorders in Non-Traditional Service Settings: Overview Paper 4 and Understanding Evidence-Based Practices for Co-Occurring Disorders: Overview Paper 5 continue a series of brief introductions to state-of-the-art knowledge from SAMHSA’s Center for Co-Occurring Excellence.
Only about half of all people with a co-occurring disorder receive any substance abuse or mental health treatment, but they may come in contact with those in public health, public safety and social welfare organizations. Addressing Co-Occurring Disorders in Non-Traditional Service Settings: Overview Paper 4 describes how professionals who work in primary health care, public safety and criminal justice, and social service settings can identify and respond effectively to people with co-occurring disorders. The paper explains how these initial contacts, if handled with sensitivity, can increase the likelihood that people with co-occurring disorders will take advantage of treatment.
Understanding Evidence-Based Practices for Co-Occurring Disorders: Overview Paper 5 provides an overview of evidence-based practices and their use in treating people with co-occurring disorders. Although the treatment of co-occurring disorders is a relatively new field, several program- and treatment-level interventions have been developed and tested. This paper identifies how evidence is used to determine if a given practice should be labeled as evidence-based and provides brief examples. In addition, Overview Paper 5 clarifies the advantages of employing evidence-based practices and the meaning of related terms, such as promising practices, model programs and best practices.
