ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION Th e simultaneous treatment of mental health-substance use problems is an essential service that necessitates integration of services and interventions within mental health-substance use and allied professions. When treating people who experience mental health-substance use disorders, integrated treatment has been found to be more eff ective than non-integrated care.1 Integrated treatment has been shown to improve substance use outcomes including abstinence or harm reduction in the majority of people.2 Th e group treatment approach outlined here can be integrated into a variety of programme models across services and systems of care.3 Th is consensus-based model and integrative properties includes evidence-based interventions for people who have varying profi les of mental health-substance problems.4,5 Discussion will be based in part on the author’s consulting experience across systems of care, programme models and state-wide initiatives,6-11 and will include: theme-centred interaction, stages of change, and client-centred refl ective listening.
