The Faculty of Dartmouth Medical School and Hazelden Publishing Launch New Evidence-Based Program for Treatment of Co-occurring Disorders

The Hazelden Co-occurring Disorders Program provides professionals with a comprehensive tool to integrate the treatment of substance use and non-severe mental health disorders

Center City, Minn., August 28, 2008 --Hazelden Publishing is pleased to introduce the Hazelden Co-occurring Disorders Program (CDP), the first comprehensive, integrated treatment program for adults with co-occurring disorders. The program, available in September, was developed by faculty from the Dartmouth Medical School, national leaders in the research and treatment of co-occurring disorders.

As many as 50-75 percent of people in drug and alcohol addiction treatment also suffer from a non-severe psychiatric disorder. Research shows the integrated treatment approach that promotes recovery is most effective by offering both substance use and mental health services at one time and in one setting.

"The Hazelden Co-occurring Disorders Program is exactly what the addiction and mental health fields need to address these disorders.  The program is comprehensive, yet practical for addiction and mental health professionals who will find this a useful resource for treating co-occurring mental health and chemical dependency issues," Sue Hoisington, Psy. D.L.P., executive director, Hazelden Clinical Services.

The Hazelden Co-occurring Disorders Program for adults consists of seven well-researched components that have proven effective in treating both substance use disorders and non-severe mental health disorders. The CDP curriculum is the first of its kind to integrate family members into a treatment program.

"Having a family member with a co-occurring disorder can create a lot of stress in the family," said Kim T. Mueser, Ph.D, a licensed clinical psychologist at Dartmouth Medical School and co-author of the curriculum. "These programs are designed to help family members, including people with co-occurring disorders, develop effective skills for managing the disorder."

The Co-occurring Disorders Program is based on the findings, observations and studies of more than 200 addiction treatment programs using the Dual Diagnosis Capability in Addiction Treatment Index (DDCAT). It incorporates best practices from Motivational Enhancement, cognitive-behavioral therapies and Twelve Step facilitation for group and individual addiction treatment programs; however it is equally effective when applied in another mental health disorder treatment setting.

The Hazelden Co-occurring Disorders Program is available online at hazelden.org/cooccurring. The program components may be purchased separately, but are most effective when used together. Hazelden also offers comprehensive training and ongoing support while implementing the CDP program.

For more information about Hazelden, recovery services or additional resources offered by Hazelden Publishing, visit hazelden.org/publishing or call 1-800-257-7810.

About the Hazelden Foundation
Hazelden, a national nonprofit organization founded in 1949, helps people reclaim their lives from the disease of addiction. Built on decades of knowledge and experience, Hazelden's comprehensive approach to addiction addresses the full range of patient, family, and professional needs, including treatment and continuing care for youth and adults, research, higher learning, public education and advocacy, and publishing.