Intentional Integration: How to Identify and Support Parents with Co-Occurring Disorders

FTCs, like all drug courts, historically focused on treating substance use disorders (SUDs). However, FTCs cannot maintain this singular focus since 45% of adults with an SUD in the general population also live with a co-occurring mental health disorder. People with an untreated co-occurring disorder are less likely to complete substance use treatment or achieve sustained recovery; they are also more likely to experience unemployment, homelessness, child welfare involvement, incarceration, and suicide. Many dependency court professionals recognize the prevalence of co-occurring disorders. Still, due to complexities in screening, assessment, diagnosis, and securing mental health services, FTCs may not appropriately identify and treat parents with co-occurring disorders. This Practice Academy examines the interactive nature of substance use and mental health disorders, while providing strategies for improved approaches and outcomes for parents and their children. 

Learning Objectives: 

• Summarize definitions and prevalence rates of co-occurring disorders and explore theories of how and why substance use and mental health disorders co-occur. 
• Identify complexities and opportunities in screening and assessment to more accurately identify parents with co-occurring disorders. 
• Apply evidence-based approaches for integrated treatment and recovery. 
• Adopt strategies from FTCs who successfully serve parents with co-occurring disorders.