FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
September 14, 2011

Contact: Christine Anderson
651.213.4231; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
integratedrecoverynow.org

Donovan Kuehn
703.741.7686, ext. 125
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Washington, D.C. —  5.6 million adults in the United States have co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, and are more likely to be hospitalized, violent, incarcerated, or homeless. Treatment models for mental health and addiction disorders exist separately—translating to ineffective care that is twice the cost for individuals who have co-occurring disorders. Today, the leading organizations in mental health and addiction treatment announce that they have joined forces to advance a model of integrated treatment as the solution to this crisis.

Focus on Integrated Recovery is a collaboration between Hazelden, Dartmouth Psychiatric Research Center, NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals, the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATAP), the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare and Westbridge Community Services.  The group has taken action to define the model for integrated treatment delivery and provide information and resources for its successful implementation across treatment organizations. Educational information, events and resources are available on their web site, integratedrecoverynow.org.

“Here at Hazelden, just as at most every other treatment center in the country, we’re seeing a higher percentage of clients present with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders. Whether it’s depression, anxiety or more severe mental illnesses that are complicating addiction, we know that our clients’ recoveries depend on our ability to treat both disorders at the same time, with the same team. We’re thrilled to be a part of this leadership group bringing a much-needed focus to Integrated Recovery,” said Marv Seppala, Chief Medical Officer, Hazelden.

Cynthia Moreno Tuohy, NCAC II, CCDC III, SAP, Executive Director of NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals said, “It is vital in this new era of integrated services with addiction and mental health that our professionals are educated and informed of the technologies related to co-occurring disorders. This partnership in integrated treatment brings the best of educational technologies, resources and outreach to addiction and other helping professionals.”

“As community mental health and addiction provider organizations strive to position themselves as partners within integrated health systems, the ability to diagnose and manage treatment for individuals with both mental health and substance use disorders is in line with broader efforts to support chronic disease management; moving us from a sick care to a health care system that better serves the needs of our clients,” added Chuck Ingoglia, Vice President of Public Policy, the National Council on Community Behavioral Health.

More information is available at www.integratedrecoverynow.org.