ABSTRACT
Mental health and substance abuse providers, advocates, and policymakers across the country have become increasingly aware of the challenges related to the needs of clients with cooccurring mental and substance disorders. At the same time, there has been increasing attention concerning the importance of basing practice and service delivery on research-based evidence of effectiveness (evidence-based practice). This chapter discusses the characteristics and needs of adults with co-occurring mental and substance disorders; the need for integrated treatment and the problems with earlier treatment models; the components of an integrated treatment model and the research supporting its effectiveness; the application of integrated treatment to substance abuse service systems; barriers to implementation of this model and support mechanisms that can address these barriers; and the need to integrate behavioral health with primary care.
