The Dartmouth Psychiatric Research Center developed and tested the Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment (IDDT) model, an established evidence-based practice designed for people with severe mental health disorders. The Hazelden Co-occurring Disorders Program draws upon the numerous randomized controlled trials using the IDDT model and adapts them for patients with non-severe mental health disorders.

This curriculum helps clinicians involve patients with co-occurring disorders and their family members in an integrated treatment approach. First, family members, including the patient, meet to learn about the patient's specific psychiatric disorder and how it interacts with the substance use disorder. Then the family joins other families in a 12-week program of education on such topics as managing cravings, communications effectively, using medications, and preventing relapses. The Family Program component includes a bound 280 - page clinician's manual covering the principles and practices of delivering a family program; a CD-ROM with reproducible patient and family member handouts, including patient education fact sheets on topics such as psychiatric disorders, communication skills, and relapse prevention.

Learn more about the Hazelden Co-occurring Disorders Program research and history at www.cooccurring.org.