Some people who struggle with mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and more may also be diagnosed with substance use disorder(s) (SUDs) if they misuse certain types of substances like alcohol, opioids, or other controlled substances. This combination of diagnoses is referred to as co-occurring disorders, or dual diagnosis. PAM Voyages’ behavioral health hospitals specialize in treating co-occurring disorders.
Mental Health & Substance Use Disorders Share Common Risk Factors
According to the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 35% of adults in the United States have a co-occurring disorder. The survey also notes that those with a mental health disorder have a higher risk of developing a substance use disorder compared to those without a mental illness diagnosis.[1]
Through standard clinical procedures, a patient must first receive a diagnosis of a mental health disorder, and then a substance use disorder diagnosis would follow, Michele Pierce, CEO at PAM Voyages of Sugar Land, said. Because SUDs and mental health disorders share common risk factors and impact one another[2], treating these dual diagnoses is different from treating standalone conditions. An integrated behavioral health model is imperative for success, shared Pierce and James Wilfer, CEO at PAM Voyages Conroe. “Treating only one increases the risk of relapse and poor outcomes, which is why integrated care is essential,” Pierce emphasized. This involves coordinated care among the medical, psychiatric, and behavioral teams at PAM Voyages’ hospitals, as well as the patient’s social supports, like family and friends.
Understanding the unique symptoms of each individual diagnosis is equally important and informs PAM Voyages’ integrated approach, the CEOs said.
An Integrated Behavioral Health Model is Key
PAM Voyages’ integrated behavioral health model is a common thread that runs through each of its programs, and patients seeking treatment for co-occurring disorders and their caregivers can determine which program is best suited to their circumstances. Inpatient treatment is ideal for patients needing stabilization, medication management, or withdrawal support. PAM Voyages’ partial hospitalization program (PHP) is best for patients requiring structure, intensive therapy, and medical oversight without 24/7 admission, while the intensive outpatient program (IOP) supports the next level of care with continued therapy and relapse-prevention skills. In any program, individualized treatment is key.
Co-occurring disorders are a unique condition that requires holistic, trauma-informed, and interdisciplinary care from professionals who understand the complex interactions between mental health and substance use. PAM Voyages of Conroe’s and PAM Voyages of Sugar Land’s approach to treating “the whole person, not just the diagnosis,” Pierce said, sets patients up for long-term success.
[1] Co-Occurring Disorders and Other Health Conditions | SAMHSA
[2]Co-Occurring Disorders and Health Conditions | National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
