SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) of the US Department of Health and Human Services has identified treatment for persons with co-occurring disorders (mental disorders and substance abuse) as a primary treatment and training need. The Detroit-Wayne County Community Mental Health Agency has taken up this initiatve and incorporated it in transforming its systems of care. Integrated Dual-Disorder Treatment (IDDT) and Co-Occurring Disorder treatment (COD) have been established as evidence-based best practices that result in higher quality outcomes for consumers of mental health and substance abuse services.
A diagnosis of co-occurring disorders occurs when at least one disorder of each type can be established independent of the other and is not simply a cluster of symptoms resulting from the one disorder. D-WCCMHA has collaborated with Ken Minkoff, MD, and Christie A. Cline, MD, MBA, since 2005 to provide theoretical foundations and practical applications of COD/IDDT training. Attendees at these events subsequently teach therapists at their agencies to respond to client needs and broaden the skill base.
