The prevalence of co-morbidity in psychiatry is more common than not. And often practitioners see challenging issues surrounding complex, co-occurring illness. Approximately 85% of people with addiction have a mental illness. “The presence of multiple diagnoses simultaneously occurring in an individual can be challenging to treat, especially if integrated treatment services are not incorporated,” says Garrick Kreitzer, Managing and Clinical Director of Realife Intervention Solutions, LLC. “Traditionally, the intervention field has continually assessed client symptomology using a framework rooted solely in substance dependence or solely in mental health,” Kreitzer says. “And that has resulted in a substantial number of intervention practitioners viewing a client’s clinical presentation through an isolated and myopic lens. There are many of us in the intervention field who do not have the clinical foundation or integrated training necessary to view substance dependence and mental health as intrinsically connected. This competency is paramount to adequately recognize complex issues in our clients. Thus, patients with co-morbid issues have been placed in either purely substance abuse or purely mental health treatment settings, when in fact they were experiencing a multitude of behavioral health and addiction issues, said Kreitzer.

The World Health Organization’s World Mental Health survey initiative concluded that 75 percent of those who had bipolar symptoms met criteria for having at least one other disorder. Anxiety disorders, especially panic disorder were the most common co-existing disorders, followed by behavior disorders and substance use disorders. The survey also concluded that severity of mental illness, in terms of disability, is strongly related to co-morbidity. “The first step in treating any illness and addiction is understanding what is happening,” says Dr. Todd Palumbo, Medical Director at Sibcy House at Lindner Center of HOPE. “Patients and families want clarity and understanding and a plan for the future,” Palumbo says. Through a comprehensive diagnostic assessment, clinicians thoroughly examine both mental and physical health issues and offer a BOLD approach to tackling the complexities of their illnesses.

“Symptomology of one illness can mimic the symptomology of another illness,” Kreitzer says. “It’s difficult to assess what came first-what is driving which illness. The uniqueness of Sibcy House’s 10 day diagnostic assessment gives patients and families the answers,” Kreitzer added. “Dual diagnosis has always been around, but instead of compartmentalizing and only treating isolated diagnoses, Sibcy House’s clinical experts consider all aspects of the patient and truly get to the bottom of what is going on.” Sibcy House’s Comprehensive Diagnostic Assessment offers a blueprint and the tools necessary to manage illnesses so that patients can pursue meaningful life goals. A team of clinicians work in one setting and provide appropriate interventions in a coordinated manner. When appropriate, cultural needs and spirituality is also incorporated into the treatment process.