Integrating Treatment for Co-Occurring Mental Health Conditions

Islands in the stream: a qualitative study on the accessibility of mental health care for persons with substance use disorders in Belgium

Introduction

Persons with substance use disorders (SUD) make up a considerable proportion of mental health care service users worldwide. Since 2010, Belgian mental health care has undergone a nationwide reform ('Title 107') aiming to realize a mental health care system that fosters more intensive collaboration, strengthens the cohesion and integration across and between different services, and is more responsive to the support needs of all service users. Although persons with SUD were named as a prioritized target group, how this reform impacted the lives and recovery journeys of persons with SUD remains understudied. This study aims to investigate how persons with SUD, regardless of whether they have co-occurring mental health issues, experience the accessibility of mental health care in light of the 'Title 107' reform.

Methods

Data were collected by means of in-depth interviews with a heterogeneous sample of persons with SUD (n=52), recruited from five regional mental health networks in Belgium. In-depth interviews focused on experiences regarding (history of) substance use, accessibility of services and support needs, and were analyzed thematically.

Results

Five dynamic themes came to the fore: fragmentation of care and support, the importance of "really listening", balancing between treatment-driven and person-centered support, the ambivalent role of peers, and the impact of stigma.

Discussion

Despite the 'Title 107' reform, persons with SUD still experience mental health care services as 'islands in the stream', pointing to several pressing priorities for future policy and practice development: breaking the vicious cycles of waiting times, organizing relational case management, tackling stigma and centralizing lived experiences, and fostering recovery-promoting collaboration.

Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Services for Clients With Co-occurring Disorders: A Latent Class Approach

OBJECTIVE

Certified community behavioral health clinics (CCBHCs) are designed to provide comprehensive care for individuals with co-occurring mental and substance use disorders. The authors classified outpatient mental health treatment facilities on the basis of provision of services for clients with co-occurring disorders and assessed whether CCBHCs differed from other outpatient mental health facilities in services provided.

METHODS

The authors used latent class analysis to identify distinct services for clients with co-occurring disorders in 5,692 outpatient mental health facilities in the 2021 National Substance Use and Mental Health Services Survey. Nine indicators were included: treatment for clients with substance or alcohol use disorder co-occurring with serious mental illness or serious emotional disturbance, specialized programs or groups for such clients, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for alcohol use disorder, MAT for opioid use disorder, detoxification, individual counseling, group counseling, case management, and 12-step groups. A multinomial logistic regression was used to estimate whether CCBHCs were associated with any identified classes after analyses controlled for facility characteristics.

RESULTS

A four-class solution provided a model with the best fit, comprising comprehensive services (23.4%), case management services (17.7%), counseling and self-help services (58.6%), and professional services (4.3%). Regressing class membership on facility type and covariates, the authors found that compared with community mental health clinics (CMHCs), CCBHCs were more likely to belong to the comprehensive services class than to the case management services, counseling and self-help services, and professional services classes.

CONCLUSIONS

CCBHCs were more likely than other outpatient programs to offer comprehensive care, and CCBHC status of a CMHC facilitated enhanced service provisions.

Effectiveness of Psychobiotics in the Treatment of Psychiatric and Cognitive Disorders: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials

In this study, a systematic review of randomized clinical trials conducted from January 2000 to December 2023 was performed to examine the efficacy of psychobiotics-probiotics beneficial to mental health via the gut-brain axis-in adults with psychiatric and cognitive disorders. Out of the 51 studies involving 3353 patients where half received psychobiotics, there was a notably high measurement of effectiveness specifically in the treatment of depression symptoms. Most participants were older and female, with treatments commonly utilizing strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria over periods ranging from 4 to 24 weeks. Although there was a general agreement on the effectiveness of psychobiotics, the variability in treatment approaches and clinical presentations limits the comparability and generalization of the findings. This underscores the need for more personalized treatment optimization and a deeper investigation into the mechanisms through which psychobiotics act. The research corroborates the therapeutic potential of psychobiotics and represents progress in the management of psychiatric and cognitive disorders.

Mental health status and substance abuse among medical students in Karaikal, Puducherry, India

Mental health disorders and substance abuse are prevalent issues that significantly impact individuals and societies. Medical students are particularly vulnerable due to the intense pressures and challenges inherent in medical education. This current investigation aims to explore the mental health status and patterns of substance abuse among medical students, identifying associated factors and potential interventions. A cross-sectional study was executed with 421 undergraduate and post graduate medical students from a tertiary care centre. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the factors associated with psychological distress and substance abuse. Substance abuse was reported by 21.4% of participants, while 20.7% experienced psychological distress. There was a statistically significant association between substance abuse and psychological distress (p=0.005). Factors associated with psychological distress included sleep deprivation (Adjusted OR: 24.8, p=0.001), whereas factors associated with substance abuse included male gender (Adjusted OR: 2.3, p=0.001), older age, staying with friends (Adjusted OR: 1.8, p=0.04) and sleep deprivation abuse (OR: 2.0, p=0.01). This study highlights a significant occurrence of psychological distress and substance abuse among medical students. Interventions to improve mental health and reduce substance abuse among medical students should consider these associated factors, emphasizing the importance of sleep hygiene, stress management and supportive environments.

A systematic review of evidence on integrated management of psychiatric disorders in youth who use cannabis

Given the risks to mental health associated with cannabis use in youth and the increase in cannabis legalization worldwide and in the U.S., there is a need to understand existing evidence-based approaches to integrated management of psychiatric disorders in youth who use cannabis. This systematic review aimed to appraise the current evidence on integrated treatment for adolescents and young adults with common psychiatric disorders who engage in regular cannabis use. A total of 989 studies were screened for inclusion. Study's titles and abstracts were screened and advanced to full text review for further screening by two independent reviewers. Thirty-five full-text articles were reviewed, with five articles ultimately meeting all criteria for inclusion. Five randomized controlled trials examined the effects of therapeutic interventions in youth with common psychiatric disorders who used cannabis, including two studies on depression, one on bipolar disorder, one on anxiety and one on PTSD were reviewed. No studies were considered high in risk of bias. Overall, there is a paucity of research on the treatment of comorbid adolescent mental health disorders and cannabis use, which limits the ability to draw evidence-based treatment recommendations.

Navigating the Complex Intersection of Substance Use and Psychiatric Disorders: A Comprehensive Review

The co-occurrence of substance use disorders (SUDs) and psychiatric conditions, often referred to as comorbidity or concurrent disorders, presents intricate challenges in both diagnosis and treatment. This comprehensive narrative review aims to synthesize and critically evaluate the existing evidence surrounding the management of individuals with comorbid SUDs and psychiatric disorders. Comorbidity in these domains carries profound implications for clinical practice, research, and policymaking, emphasizing the need for a holistic understanding of the intricate dynamics that arise when these conditions coexist. This review explores recent research findings, evidence-based guidelines, and emerging trends within the field, offering valuable insights for clinicians, researchers, and policymakers seeking to navigate the complex terrain of comorbidity in substance use and psychiatric disorders.

Problematic substance use among patients in a Swedish outpatient psychiatry setting: staff and manager perceptions of digital options for increased intervention access

BACKGROUND

Approximately 50% of the patients who globally seek help in psychiatry have been assessed with problematic substance use or been diagnosed with substance use disorder (SUD). Given the high treatment gap for mental health care, in particular SUD, these individuals risk poorer treatment outcomes in psychiatry. Integrated treatment for psychiatric and SUD disorders has been proposed to reduce the treatment gap for SUD, but access to integrated treatment is low. Digital interventions addressing SUD in psychiatry could potentially make treatment available to patients who otherwise would not have access. In this study "digital interventions" comprise an umbrella term covering all kinds of interventions from minimal motivational app-based interventions to internet-based interventions with and without human guidance, up to remote sessions in telepsychiatry. This study aims to explore healthcare staff perceptions of referring patients to digital interventions for reducing problematic substance use, whether or not diagnosed as SUD, in the psychiatric outpatient setting.

METHOD

The study was exploratory with a qualitative design. Data were collected in the Swedish outpatient psychiatry setting, via individual semi-structured interviews with managers, and focus groups with healthcare staff. An adapted form of phenomenological hermeneutical analysis was used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

Three themes emerged from the analysis. The first theme was Encountering obstacles on the path to future implementation of digital interventions, with sub-themes: Lacking resources and Feeling concerned about technical solutions. The second theme was Searching for ways forward to achieve increased access to care, with sub-themes: Blended care could facilitate integrated care and Addressing variations in patients' technical skills. The third theme was Taking steps towards the future, with sub-themes: Wanting to know more about digital interventions and Formulating a vision for the future.

CONCLUSIONS

The study reveals a concern that implementing digital interventions in psychiatry will create additional work or be technically challenging. The staff see significant advantages from the patient perspective, but they feel that they themselves need training in implementing digital interventions. In order to establish constructive implementation of digital interventions for SUD in psychiatry, staff attitudes and concerns need to be considered and addressed. This study was conducted within the Swedish healthcare system and the findings may not generalize to other countries with differing healthcare systems.

Inequalities in care for Iranian women suffering from the comorbidity of substance use and mental illness: The need for integrated treatment

This paper addresses the comorbidity of substance use and mental illness among women in Iran and the barriers they encounter in accessing treatment. Research has demonstrated a higher prevalence of comorbidity of substance use disorders and mental illness among women than men. It has been suggested that women in Iran may face numerous barriers to appropriate care, such as stigma and discrimination associated with substance use. Integrated treatment for co-occurring disorders (CODs) has been highly beneficial and effective; however, personal and structural limitations impede this treatment approach, which explains the need to develop a situation- and culture-specific program. Needs assessment is necessary to achieve an integrated treatment, and the Iranian government should take the lead in this endeavor. However, if this seems unlikely, non-governmental organizations could be called upon to promote it.

Performance measures for alcohol and other drugs services: a commentary

Alcohol and other drugs treatment includes a wide range of service and personal characteristics, along with expected and unexpected barriers to treatment. To capture the benefits and the gaps of a designed treatment, one needs to consider process-of-care and outcome measurements. Process-of-care measures are mainly developments of the rationale proposed by The Washington Circle and capture all variants in the process-of-care as proportions. Outcome measures are strongly related to different concepts of recovery and described as simple yes/no answers type to wide levels of response, such as in Likert-type scales. According to the studies collected here, more realistic periods of data-collection for process-of-care measures and a more reliable format to capture outcome particularities should be designed.

"…he's going to be facing the same things that he faced prior to being locked up": perceptions of service needs for substance use disorders

BACKGROUND

High rates of substance use disorders (SUDs) exist among justice-involved populations (i.e., persons incarcerated or recently released). SUD treatment is crucial for justice-involved populations as unmet treatment need increases reincarceration risk and impacts other behavioral health sequalae. A limited understanding of health needs (i.e. health literacy) can be one reason for unmet treatment needs. Social support is critical to seeking SUD treatment and post-incarceration outcomes. However, little is known about how social support partners understand and influence SUD service utilization among formerly incarcerated persons.

METHODS

This mixed method, exploratory study utilized data from a larger study comprised of formerly incarcerated men (n = 57) and their selected social support partners (n = 57) to identify how social support partners understand the service needs of their loved ones recently released from prison who returned to the community with a diagnosis of a SUD. Qualitative data included 87 semi-structured interviews with the social support partners covering post-release experiences with their formerly incarcerated loved one. Univariates were conducted on the quantitative service utilization data and demographics to complement the qualitative data.

RESULTS

Majority of the formerly incarcerated men identified as African American (91%) averaging 29 years of age (SD = 9.58). Most social support partners were a parent (49%). Qualitative analyses revealed that most social support partners avoided using or did not know the language to use regarding the formerly incarcerated person's SUD. Treatment needs were often attributed to focus on peer influences and spending more time at their residence/housing. Analyses did reveal that when treatment needs were recommended in the interviews, social support partners reported employment and education services to be most needed for the formerly incarcerated person. These findings align with the univariate analysis with their loved ones reporting employment (52%) and education (26%) as their most reported service utilized post-release, compared to only 4% using substance abuse treatment.

CONCLUSION

Results provide preliminary evidence suggesting social support partners do influence the types of services accessed by formerly incarcerated persons with SUD. The findings of this study emphasize the need for psychoeducation during and after incarceration for individuals with SUDs and their social support partners.

Associations between new health conditions and healthcare service utilizations among older adults in the United Kingdom: effects of COVID-19 risks, worse financial situation, and lowered income

Background

Health services are critically important for older adults, particularly during the Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic. However, COVID-19 risks, worse financial situation, and lowered income may seriously impact health services by feasibility and accessibility. Therefore, the aim of the present study was empirically to explore how health-seeking behaviors are influenced by new health conditions through COVID-19 risks, worse financial situation, and lowered income.

Methods

Data were from ELSA COVID-19 waves 1 and 2 which included a sample of 6952 and 6710 older adults in the United Kingdom, respectively. The frequency distribution analyses were conducted by Chi-square analysis by gender groups. Zero-inflated Poisson regressions were used to examine how worse financial situation and lowered income were associated with COVID-19 risks and new health conditions. Logistic regressions were employed to examine the associations of COVID-19 risks, worse financial situation, and lowered income with treatment cancellation and accessible care. Cross-sectional mediation models, cross-sectional moderation models, longitudinal mediation models, and longitudinal moderation models were conducted based on Hayes model 6, Hayes model 29, Montoya model 1, and Montoya model 2, respectively.

Results

Most of the sample was >65 years old, females, located in urban place, and involved in long-standing condition. Regression analysis showed that COVID-19 risks, worse financial situation, and lowered income were associated with treatment cancellation and accessible care. In the longitudinal mediations, effect coefficients of ‘X’ → (treatment cancellation in wave 1 (Tcn1)- treatment cancellation in wave 2 (Tcn2))(β = −.0451, p < .0001, low limit confidence interval (LLCI) = −.0618, upper limit confidence interval (ULCI) = −.0284), ‘X’ → (COVID-19 risks in wave 1 (Csk1)- COVID-19 risks in wave 2 (Csk2)) (β = .0592, p < .0001, LLCI = .0361, ULCI = .0824), and ‘X’ → (lowered income in wave 1 (CIn1)- lowered income in wave 2 (CIn2)) (β = −.0351, p = .0001, LLCI = -.0523, ULCI = -.0179) were significant. Additionally, effect coefficients of ‘X’ → (accessible care in wave 1 (Acr1)- accessible care in wave 2 (Acr2)) (β = .3687, p < .0001, LLCI = .3350, ULCI = .4025),'X’ → (Csk1- Csk2) (β = .0676, p = .0005, LLCI = .0294, ULCI = .1058), and ‘X’ → (worse financial situation in wave 1- worse financial situation in wave 2) (β = −.0369, p = .0102, LLCI = -.0650, ULCI = -.0087) were significant.

Conclusions

There were longitudinal mediating effects of COVID-19 risks, worse financial situation, and lowered income on the relationship between new health conditions and treatment cancellation and relationship between new health conditions and accessible care. These findings suggest that worse financial situation, lowered income, and COVID-19 risks exerted an influence on the relationship between new health conditions and treatment cancellation and relationship between new health conditions and accessible care among older adults. Findings suggest that longitudinal mediations may be important components of interventions aiming to meet service needs. Long-term health policy implications indicate the need for reducing COVID-19 risks, improving financial situation, and increasing income among the targeted population.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12877-022-02995-8.

How do individuals with alcohol problems use social and healthcare services in Finland? Comparison of service use patterns between two high-need patient groups

Aims:

Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) are associated with high risk of comorbidities and excess use of social and healthcare services. We examined health service use (HSU) frequencies of patients with AUD in comparison to those with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Design:

A random sample of individuals with AUD (n = 396) were identified based on ICD-10 codes and HSU patterns, morbidity and mortality were compared with age- and gender-matched T2DM controls (n = 792) using logistic regression analysis. Six years (2011–2016) of electronic health record (EHR) data from the North Karelia district in Finland were used.

Results:

Similarities in comorbidity patterns existed, although mental health comorbidity (odds ratio [OR] 1.86) was more prevalent in the AUD group. The average annual HSU varied according to the groups: T2DM patients had more continuous contact with public health nurses in primary care, whereas AUD patients were more likely to experience somatic specialised care hospitalisations (OR 11.30) and have frequent somatic primary healthcare doctor visits (OR 3.30) and frequent emergency room doctor visits in specialised care (OR 8.89). Furthermore, patients with AUD had a 7.5 times higher risk of death compared with T2DM patients.

Conclusions:

This study identified rather similar comorbidity status for the AUD and T2DM patients, but their HSU patterns differed noticeably. AUD patients had higher frequencies of hospitalisation periods and emergency service use and were at a higher risk of death compared with T2DM patients, indicating greater challenges in the organisation of care for AUD patients compared with those having T2DM.

Comparing Perceptions of Addiction Treatment between Professionals and Individuals in Recovery

Background: The purpose of this qualitative study was to compare and contrast the differing perspectives of service users and professionals regarding the current substance use disorders (SUD) services provided in Summit County, Ohio. Seven focus groups were conducted with 44 participants (52.3% male, mean age 46 years), including 15 individuals in recovery, 16 direct service providers, and 13 executive directors. The participants were asked about three areas: (1) effective treatment for SUD, (2) challenges for persons with SUD, and (3) suggestions for improving SUD treatment outcomes. The data were analyzed and coded according to major themes. Results: While there were numerous emergent themes that were concordant between service use and professionals, several differing themes between the groups were also identified. First, participants disagreed on the effectiveness of medication-assisted treatment/Medications for Opioid Use Disorder. Second, professionals identified trauma, stigma, "one-size-fits-all" approach to treatment, and limitations set by managed care act as barriers to treatment, whereas individuals in recovery reported difficulty dealing with feelings, feeling of being rushed into recovery, and the lack of long-term recovery plans as the most significant barriers. Lastly, in order to improve treatment outcomes, professionals emphasized the importance of education unlike individuals in recovery who identified sober supports as the most important factor. Conclusion: This study identified challenges in SUD recovery and highlights essential areas for consideration when developing and implementing SUD treatment. The findings can be used as guidelines to provide better services to individuals with SUDs.Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2022.2058706 .

Exploring Technology-Based Enhancements to Inpatient and Residential Treatment for Young Adult Women with Co-Occurring Substance Use

Young adults have the highest rates of substance use of any age group. Although men historically have higher rates of substance use disorders (SUDs) than women, research shows this gender gap is narrowing. Young adults with comorbid psychiatric disorders are at increased risk for developing a SUD. Co-occurring psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, eating and post-traumatic stress disorders are more prevalent in women than men with SUDs, yet mental health treatment often does not adequately address substance use in patients receiving care for a comorbid psychiatric disorder. Tailored gender-responsive interventions for women with psychiatric disorders and co-occurring SUD have gained empirical support. Digital interventions tailored to young adult women with co-occurring disorders have the potential to overcome barriers to addressing substance use for young adult women in a psychiatric treatment setting. This study utilized a user-centered design process to better understand how technology could be used to address substance use in young adult women receiving inpatient and residential psychiatric care. Methods: Women (N = 15; age 18-25 years), recruited from five psychiatric treatment programs, engaged in a qualitative interview and completed self-report surveys on technology use and acceptability. Qualitative interviews were coded for salient themes. Results: Results showed that few participants were currently using mental health web-based applications (i.e., "apps"), but most participants expressed an interest in using apps as part of their mental health treatment. Participants identified several important topics salient to women their age including substance use and sexual assault, stigma and shame, difficulties abstaining from substance use while maintaining social relationships with peers, and negative emotions as a trigger for use. Conclusions: These data provide preliminary evidence that a digital intervention may be a feasible way to address co-occurring substance use problems in young adult women receiving care in a psychiatric setting.

Vital Signs: Characteristics of Drug Overdose Deaths Involving Opioids and Stimulants - 24 States and the District of Columbia, January-June 2019

Introduction

Provisional estimates indicate that drug overdose deaths increased in 2019 after a slight decrease in 2018. In 2018, overdose deaths primarily involved opioids, with continued increases in deaths involving illicitly manufactured fentanyls (IMFs). Deaths involving stimulants such as cocaine and methamphetamine are also increasing, mainly in combination with opioids.

Methods

CDC analyzed data on drug overdose deaths during January–June 2019 from 24 states and the District of Columbia (DC) in the State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System to describe characteristics and circumstances of opioid- and stimulant-involved overdose deaths.

Results

Among 16,236 drug overdose deaths in 24 states and DC, 7,936 (48.9%) involved opioids without stimulants, 5,301 (32.6%) involved opioids and stimulants, 2,056 (12.7%) involved stimulants without opioids, and 943 (5.8%) involved neither opioids nor stimulants. Approximately 80% of overdose deaths involved one or more opioid, and IMFs were involved in three of four opioid-involved overdose deaths. IMFs, heroin, cocaine, or methamphetamine (alone or in combination) were involved in 83.8% of overdose deaths. More than three in five (62.7%) overdose deaths had documentation of at least one potential opportunity for overdose prevention intervention.

Conclusions and implications for public health practice

Identifying opportunities to intervene before an overdose death and implementing evidence-based prevention policies, programs, and practices could save lives. Strategies should address characteristics of overdoses involving IMFs, such as rapid overdose progression, as well as opioid and stimulant co-involvement. These efforts should be complemented by efforts to prevent initiation of prescription opioid and stimulant misuse and illicit drug use.