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Co-occurring Disorders and Healthcare Reform

The late Senator Edward Kennedy's son, Representative Patrick Kennedy, spoke recently on Capitol Hill, prior to President Obama national address about healthcare reform. On the agenda for Kennedy? The need to include mental healthcare and substance dependence treatment in healthcare reform.

"The opportunity that I had to work with [my father] on that level, with the parity bill, is one of the finest opportunities that I've ever had in all of my professional career and personal life," the younger Kennedy said. "The most logical first step ... is for us to get early intervention through screening and brief treatment for those in the white-coat community who, frankly, are the first line of defense of those treating those who have mental illnesses and substance abuse problems."

Kennedy also lobbied for more training for doctors to help in the screening, intervention and treatment process for mental illnesses and substance abuse problems. "In this [House] bill, we have a number of sections that call for greater professional development for those who are in the mental health field," Kennedy said, noting the importance of working now to to put the pressure on state medical boards to really adopt more questions related to drug and alcohol abuse and mental illness.

Substance Use Disorder Percentages

"Substance use disorders are most often a chronic disease and affect about 9.5 percent of the general population - about 24 million Americans over age 12," said Mady Chalk, Ph.D., Director, Center for Policy Research and Analysis at the Treatment Research Institute in Philadelphia, and a speaker alongside Kennedy. "Only about 10 percent of them are identified and treated, and 40 percent who try to get help are denied treatment because of the cost or insurance barriers," Chalk continued. "Yet research shows that integrated care through early intervention and economical screening and brief intervention (SBI) in healthcare settings has reduced substance use and saved healthcare dollars. For example, studies have shown Medicaid costs are reduced by 5 percent ($4,500 less) over five years. Inpatient and emergency department costs decline by about 39 percent and 35 percent respectively, and total medical costs per patient per month decline from $431 to $200 following treatment. National health reform is essential."

If you or a family member are struggling with an addiction to drugs or alcohol coupled with a mental health issue, also known as a co-occurring disorder, call The Canyon's toll-free number. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day and answer any questions you have about treatment, financing or insurance.