Chicagoland Behavioral Health Program Launches in February to Provide Co-Occurring Treatment for Individuals Struggling with Mental Health and Substance Use
New data shows over 15% of population has a substance use disorder; Chicagoland Behavioral Health Program Launches in February to Provide Co-Occurring Treatment for Individuals Struggling with Mental Health and Substance Use.
Chicago, Illinois, January 17, 2023 – Compass Health Center will launch its new Mental Health & Substance Use Program for individuals ages 18+ starting this February, available across all in-person Chicagoland locations. The program will support young adults and adults struggling to manage their mental health symptoms, substance use, and other addictive behaviors.
Compass’s evidence-based Partial Hospitalization (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient (IOP) programming focuses on building coping skills to simultaneously address and manage a patient’s mood symptoms and substance use. This patient-centered approach uses harm reduction or abstinence-based treatment methods based on appropriate clinical need.
The latest data from the HHS’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration annual survey found that one in four adults had a mental health disorder and over 15% of the population met the criteria for a substance use disorder. Nearly 94% of people with a substance use disorder did not receive any treatment in 2021. (Politico)
Research demonstrates high rates of mental health disorders in individuals who develop a substance use disorder (NIH). Co-occurring disorders can include Anxiety Disorders, Depression, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Bipolar Disorder, Personality Disorders, PTSD, and Schizophrenia.
Co-occurring disorders can be difficult to diagnose and treat both due to the complexity of symptoms and variability in severity throughout one's lifetime. In many cases, people receive treatment for one disorder while the other disorder is left untreated.
“The reason for this is complicated”, said Deepali Gershan, MD, Psychiatrist and Addiction Specialist, Medical Director – Young Adult and Adult Programs, Compass Health Center. “There are different systems of care for substance use and mental health treatment which were established by our healthcare system decades ago. Co-occurring disorders can also be difficult to diagnose and treat due to overlapping symptoms.”
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, the consequences of undiagnosed, untreated, or undertreated co-occurring disorders are significant and can lead to higher likelihood of medical illness, increased risk for homelessness, incarceration, suicide, or early death.
Research reported by the NIMH suggests several reasons why substance use disorders and mental health disorders commonly occur together. Mental health and substance use disorders commonly occur together due to genetic and environmental factors; generational trauma may trigger the development of these disorders or substances may be used to self-medicate and alleviate symptoms.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recommends that integrated treatment best serves co-occurring disorders. Using this approach, practitioners can address mental health and substance use disorders simultaneously, often lowering health care costs and creating better outcomes.
Compass’s expert clinical team of masters-level clinicians understands and focuses on the interconnectedness of substance use and mental health, which is essential for an individual’s long-term treatment success.
Learn more: Mental Health & Substance Use.
Press release published initially in Patch IL.
Contact Information:
Britt Teasdale
Associate Director, Brand Management, Compass Health Center
bteasdale@compasshealthcenter.net
Phone 216-926-0550
