Child Mind Institute And Center on Addiction Release New Guide On Co-Occurring Disorders

NEW YORK, Feb. 12, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Center on Addiction, (which recently merged with the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids), and the Child Mind Institute have developed Substance Use + Mental Health in Teens & Young Adults: Your Guide to Recognizing & Addressing Co-occurring Disorders. This new resource was introduced last week at a breakfast briefing for key supporters, including mental health professionals, parents, educators, and behavioral health and addiction specialists.

Substance Use + Mental Health in Teens & Young Adults features information on common mental health disorders in young people, tips on identifying substance misuse, and practical advice about evaluation and treatment when a young person is struggling with both. These are commonly called co-occurring disorders, comorbid disorders or dual diagnosis. The free guide can be downloaded at both childmind.org and drugfree.org.

Research shows that 30 – 45 percent of adolescents with mental health disorders have a co-occurring substance use disorder, and approximately 65 percent of youth with substance use disorders also have a mental health disorder. Untreated, co-occurring disorders increase risk for self-harm. Symptoms of substance misuse and mental health disorders often mimic each other, which can complicate diagnosis. Accurate diagnosis and treatment planning may require a clinician with addiction expertise.

According to the new guide, integrated care — combining primary care, mental health and substance use services — for co-occurring disorders offers the best long-term prognosis. Parents and caregivers play a crucial role in encouraging treatment for their child or young adult and supporting them during the treatment process.

Key topics explored in the new guide include:

• Criteria for substance use disorders and how to differentiate substance use and mental health symptoms
• Symptoms of common mental health disorders and how they interact with substances like alcohol, nicotine and marijuana
• How parents can help young people want to get help for co-occurring disorders
• Guidelines for quality diagnosis and treatment
• An exploration of the family's role in supporting young people in treatment
• Additional resources for parents who want to learn more or get help

"The combination of substance use and mental health disorders can be incredibly challenging, and often becomes overwhelming," said Harold S. Koplewicz, MD, president and medical director of the Child Mind Institute. "We hope this guide will help parents and caregivers gain a better understanding, so that they will feel empowered to pursue treatment and support teens and young adults through that process. The goal is to help young people get diagnosed and into treatment, with a support system that will help them succeed in their recovery."

"It can be very difficult to figure out what may be behind a young person's change in behavior, especially when substance use and mental health are both factors," said Fred Muench, PhD, president of the Center on Addiction and former president and CEO, Partnership for Drug-Free Kids. "We want to give parents and caregivers the information, insights and resources to feel confident in their ability to identify warning signs and take appropriate action when concerns arise."

About the Child Mind Institute
The Child Mind Institute is an independent, national nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families struggling with mental health and learning disorders. Our teams work every day to deliver the highest standards of care, advance the science of the developing brain, and empower parents, professionals and policymakers to support children when and where they need it most. Together with our supporters, we're helping children reach their full potential in school and in life. We share all of our resources freely and do not accept any funding from the pharmaceutical industry. Learn more at childmind.org.

About Center on Addiction
Center on Addiction merged with Partnership for Drug-Free Kids in January 2019 and is the nation's leading science-based nonprofit dedicated to transforming how the nation addresses addiction by empowering families, advancing effective care, shaping public policy, and changing culture. Center on Addiction is the only national organization committed to supporting the whole family as they address every aspect of substance use and addiction, from prevention to recovery. For more information, visit centeronaddiction.org.

SOURCE Center on Addiction

Related Links

https://www.centeronaddiction.org