Integrated Dual Disorders Treatment

The Integrated Dual Disorders Treatment (IDDT) model was developed and standardized for use primarily in mental health settings with people with severe mental illness. The IDDT was not developed for and does not fit in most addiction treatment settings.

Like the Hazelden Co-occurring Disorder Program, this treatment approach helps people recover by offering mental health and substance abuse services together, in one setting, at the same time.

From the Dartmouth Psychiatric Research Center:

In other words, the same clinicians (or team of clinicians) provide a personalized treatment plan for both mental health and substance abuse problems. A wide variety of services are offered in a stage-wise fashion because some services are important early in treatment, while others are important later on. Individualized treatments are offered depending on what stage of recovery a person is in. Examples of services include basic education about the illnesses, case management, help with housing, money management, or relationships, and specialized counseling specifically designed for people with co-occurring disorders. This is a comprehensive and long-term approach to treatment that has hope and optimism as core beliefs. Services are offered in a positive atmosphere and people are encouraged to believe that they can recover as many others have. Ultimately, the goal of integrated dual disorders treatment is to help people learn to manage both their mental illness and substance use problems so that they can pursue their own meaningful life goals.

What is the difference between severe and non-severe mental health disorders?

Co-occurring substance use disorders occur in people with severe and non-severe mental health disorders. Severity can vary substantially within any given diagnostic condition. For example, depression can be mild, moderate, or severe. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be well-managed or debilitating. Severity, therefore, is more complex than any specific disorder.

In general, a disorder is diagnosed as "severe" when the patient has many more symptoms than the minimum criteria specify, or when some symptoms are especially severe, or when functioning in society or at work is especially compromised.

How is the Hazelden Co-occurring Disorders Program different?

The Hazelden Co-occurring Disorders Program differs from IDDT in that it was created for use in addiction treatment settings, primarily with people with non-severe psychiatric disorders who also suffer from any level of substance use disorder.

For more severe mental illnesses, IDDT would be the model of choice. People using the IDDT model may choose to use the Hazelden Co-occurring Disorders Program to expand their organization's capability to offer integrated treatment for people with non-severe mental health disorders.

The authors of the Hazelden Co-occurring Disorders Program were members of the team that developed the IDDT Implementation Resource Kit, which is available free from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).