Finding Addiction | Mental Illness | CoOccurring Disorders Treatment
Finding addiction | mental illness | co-occurring disorders treatment can be daunting. Where to start, what to look for, what’s it cost, how long should it last, what is IOP…the list seems endless. Not only this, but there is no one or right way to do treatment. Some people construct their own treatment plan, while others may go to a treatment facility, and some find working with a therapist the most helpful.
This post covers two options:
- Option 1: finding residential or outpatient (which is when you stay in your home but spend time in the evenings and on week-ends following a treatment plan constructed by the treatment provider) for addiction OR mental illness OR co-occurring disorders (having both a mental health and substance use disorder).
- Option 2: finding a therapist
Often it is a family member who is doing the looking. Sometimes it’s the person with the substance use disorder (explained here), and in the best case scenario, it’s both doing it together.
Before I get started on how to go about finding effective treatment for addiction (aka a severe substance use disorder), mental illness, and cooccurring disorders, I suggest you read the following reports, first. They will give you a solid understanding of substance use disorders (aka addiction, alcoholism), mental health disorders (aka mental illness) and co-occurring disorders and what it takes to treat them.
- Understand the Brain Disease of Addiction and Principles of Effective Addiction Treatment
Check out the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Drugs, Brains and Behavior: The Science of Addiction and NIDA’s Principles of Effective Treatment. - Understand Mental Health Disorders
Check out the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)’s “Mental Health Conditions“ - Understand Co-Occurring Disorders
Check out the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)’s “Common Comorbidities with Substance Use Disorders Research Report” and the portion of NIDA’s report, titled: “What are the treatments for comorbid substance use disorder and mental health conditions?”
Now, for Option 1: residential or outpatient treatment…
Finding Treatment for Addiction | Mental Illness | Co-Occurring Disorders
For this, I suggest you go to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency (SAMHSA)’s Behavioral Health Treatment Locator. It looks like this:
SAMHSA’s Treatment Locator Landing Page
1. For example purposes, I’m going to select California. Once I enter the state in the search bar, I select “search for substance use facilities.” If you’re interested in mental health (aka mental illness treatment) facilities, you’d select the other button, “Mental Health (MH). You’ll land on a page that looks like this, and we’re focusing on what’s in the top right corner – Find Facility – for now. It is in that section that you’ll select the miles you’re willing to travel and the treatment you’re looking for. I’m going to change my selection from Substance Use (SU) to SU & MH, which stands for Substance Use and Mental Health, because I’m going to search for cooccurring disorder treatment in this example.
Here’s where you’ll select the treatment you’re looking for…
2. Once I’ve selected the kind of treatment I’m looking for — both SU and MH in my example — you’ll next see a map showing location sites on the left. On the right is the top of the dropdown menu from which you’ll select services for which you’re looking. Options include: Service Settings, Payment/Insurance Accepted, Payment Assistance Available, Special Programs/Groups Offered, Age Groups Accepted, etc.
3. The dropdown gives you the example of the search I did.
This image shows the selections I chose for my search.
4. And this image shows there were only two facilities that offered the search criteria I used. At this point you’d look at the website for the facility and explore what they say the offer. Be sure to look at their staff and then call and talk with the clinical director to discuss your situation and whether their facility is a fit for you. This is where having read the reports shared at the beginning of this post can help you list the questions you want answered.
You may also want to expand your search to include several states or change your search criteria, or you may want to move on to Option 2 in the next section.
This image shows the results that offer the criteria I identified.
And now for Option 2…
Finding a Therapist to Help with Addiction | Mental Illness | CoOccurring Disorders Treatment
For some – working with a therapist, psychologist, or counselor is helpful. To help you with this search, check out this link, “Find a Therapist, Psychologist, Counselor – Psychology Today.” Similar to the process used above, you will begin your search by selecting the area within which you would like the therapist, psychologist, or counselor’s office to be located. Some are now offering online therapy, as well.
Once you’re selection is made and you click find, you will have a list of those in that area. In the left margin, you will also have a drop down menu that will allow you to identify the issues you’d like help with. Here are some of the options: ADHD, Addiction, Adoption, Alcohol Abuse, Anger Management, Anxiety, Behavioral Issues, Bipolar Disorder, Chronic Pain, Chronic Relapse, Drug abuse, Dual Diagnosis (which is another name for CoOccurring Disorders), Family Conflict, Substance Abuse, Stress, Suicidal Ideation, Trauma, and Sexual Abuse.
From the list that appears, read the person’s description and then visit their website by selection “View.” If it seems their services and “style” will work for you give them a call. And again, this is where having read the reports shared at the beginning of this post can help you list the questions you want answered.
Narrowing your search by selecting issues with which you’d like help.
Don’t Let the Search Process Overwhelm You
Reading this post all at once may feel overwhelming. Take your time. And know that these are just two options.
You may decide going to a 12-Step meeting or other Peer Support Group (SmartRecovery, for example) or participating in NAMI’s (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Peer-to-Peer or Family-to-Family programs or talking to your regular doctor is the best place to start — remember, there is no one or right way to “do” treatment.
You may also find my latest book helpful, 10th Anniversary Edition If You Loved Me, You’d Stop! which provides information on how a person develops a substance use disorder and what can be done to help the family and friends of someone with a drinking or other drug use problem.
And please feel free to contact me with any questions by sending me an email at lisaf@BreakingTheCycles.com. We can arrange a phone call — there is no charge for these kinds of initial outreach calls.
Above all – know that treatment and recovery are entirely possible.
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©2019, Rev. 2021 Lisa Frederiksen
Lisa Frederiksen
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Thank you!!!
As a parent I felt so helpless and overwhelmed by my inability to find the help my son needed for his addiction to marijuana coupled with extreme anxiety and depression . This is even more critical during times of COVID-19 due to the waiting period required before being cleared to interact with others. That waiting period can become the difference between life or death. Waiting without the numbing substance alone with your thoughts, anxiety, depression. Withdrawal hell.
Oh Julie – I can only imagine. If you’d like to talk, please feel free to send me an email to lisaf@BreakingTheCycles.com, and we can schedule a call (no charge). -Lisa