Breaking the cycle: A revolutionary approach to treating mental health and addiction

June 16, 2025 at 01:01 AM EDT

(BPT) - Struggling with a substance use disorder is never easy, and is even more difficult to overcome without substantial help from others. One reason substance use can be so challenging is that many people are coping with a variety of mental health conditions along with their substance use. According to the nonprofit Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, 79% of Hazelden Betty Ford treatment center patients have had more than one treatable mental health condition, and on average 3.67 different diagnoses, including depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, trauma, PTSD and ADHD, to name a few.

Historically, treatment for mental health and substance use were considered as separate issues, requiring people who needed help for both to seek care from multiple providers or clinics at different times - and without adequate or any health insurance coverage. But attitudes toward substance use and mental health have changed over the years, leading to a better understanding of the connection between the two, and resulting in insurance coverage options for treatment.

Providing the best possible care for the many people needing substance use treatment and help with a mental health condition involves much more than just treating them both at the same time, however. It requires a well-integrated program, also called a co-occurring program, that considers the whole person and all of their needs. While the concept of co-occurring care isn't new at Hazelden Betty Ford or in the industry, the program at Hazelden Betty Ford expands and redefines the depth and scope of what co-occurring care means.

"Substance use rarely happens as a singular diagnosis, and mental health care is a powerful tool in lasting recovery," said Kelly Lindberg, Psy.D., LP, LADC, vice president of Mental Health, Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. "Our expanded co-occurring program is designed as a recovery path that integrates mental health and substance use treatment to help patients brave the layers of co-occurring conditions, with wrap-around support for their families as well."

A new model of care

To better address the many complex issues around mental health and substance use, Hazelden Betty Ford has drawn on 75 years of experience helping people in recovery to develop a next-generation model of care, using their unique set of resources to improve the quality in mental health and substance use treatment.

Integrating everything a patient might need in one program, including psychiatry and medication management, therapists licensed in both mental health and substance use counseling, holistic care and a community of peers for group learning and support, helps people move from coping with life to living their lives.

Two women huging during support group converstion.

Advantages of an integrated approach

The nonprofit treatment center also acknowledges that every recovery journey is unique, which is why Hazelden Betty Ford developed outpatient and inpatient programs that are flexible enough to fit each individual's needs, motivations and goals in all of its 15 locations across nine states, as well as virtual care.

People seeking help with substance use and mental health concerns, and their families, will benefit from:

Receiving all their care in one place.
Combining therapies, community and skill-building, based on the needs of each patient and their family.
Multi-disciplinary teams including psychiatrists, nurses, mental health and substance use counselors, family specialists, recovery support experts and more - many of whom received training and education at Hazelden Betty Ford.
Philanthropy-funded services free of charge for families affected by a loved one's substance use disorder, contributing to the quality of care and outcomes for each patient.
Emphasis on belonging and community to support lifelong recovery.
Improved access to care through innovative tools such as Wayfinder, an evidence-based screening and brief intervention tool, and Connection Point, a virtual coaching service to help people find the right type of care and determine their next steps.

"Our nationally standardized co-occurring curriculum is built on decades of expertise and backed by research and proven outcomes," said Joseph Lee, M.D., president and CEO, Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. "To truly overcome the stigma in substance use and mental health, we must consistently raise the bar on quality, which is what we're striving for with this next-generation model."

Visit HereWithYou.org to learn more about the integrated model for mental health and substance use treatment.

Resources for teens and families

With mental health becoming an increasing concern for children and teens, it's more crucial than ever for treatment centers to develop programs designed specifically to meet the needs of younger patients. For teens or young adults struggling with depression or anxiety, who may be withdrawing from friends, family and activities they would normally enjoy, families can encourage them to seek help from experts trained and experienced in providing care and support for young people, such as at Hazelden Betty Ford's center in Plymouth, Minnesota.

This program is designed to provide integrated support for mental health and substance use in teens aged 12-18 and young adults, 18-25. Patients at the center receive individual therapy, peer connection and medication management all in one program, along with family support.

Each person's treatment plan is specifically tailored to what that individual needs, and is guided by certified adolescent specialists including addiction board certified pediatricians and psychiatrists, therapists and counselors. Family coaching, counseling and educational services are also provided, along with positive peer groups and extracurricular activities.

Visit WeGotYou.org to learn more about how a teen or young adult can receive the care they need.

This integrated approach, for teens and for adults, is an expanded model of care that's setting a new standard of quality for treatment, with a focus on the whole person.

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Breaking the cycle: A revolutionary approach to treating mental health and addiction

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