Mental Health Screenings in Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities
Though every patient has a unique combination of background and biological factors that contributed to the decision to enter a substance abuse treatment facility, there are often patterns that help healthcare professionals in treating a particular type of problem, For instance, many individuals who struggle with substance abuse also exhibit signs of a mental disorder.
A recent report by the National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services examined the mental health services offered to patients admitted for substance abuse treatment in facilities across the country. The report analyzed the extent to which mental health screenings, mental health assessments, trauma-related counseling and domestic violence services are provided in substance abuse treatment facilities.
Identifying the various aspects of substance abuse, including any possible mental disorder helps healthcare professionals create a comprehensive treatment plan for overcoming substance abuse. There is a distinction made between mental health screenings and mental health assessments. Screenings simply ask yes-or-no questions to identify whether there may be signs of a possible disorder. An assessment defines the nature of the problem and gathers details useful in designing an effective treatment plan.
Over half of the 13,513 treatment facilities incorporate a brief mental health screening into their treatment plans, but less than half (42 percent) provide a full diagnostic mental health assessment. Treatment facilities in which the primary focus is on mental health, a mix of mental health and substance abuse treatment, or general health were more likely than facilities primarily focused on substance abuse treatment to offer full mental health assessments.
In addition, facilities operated by the federal government were more likely than other types of facilities to provide mental health assessments and mental health screenings (68 percent and 79 percent, respectively).
Approximately 21 percent of treatment facilities reported the use of trauma-related counseling “always or often.” Facilities that focused on a mix of mental health and substance abuse treatment were more likely than other types of treatment facilities to use trauma counseling “always or often.
The use of domestic violence screening is important in identifying both batterers and survivors to determine a course of action. In 2009, less than half (35 percent) of treatment facilities offered domestic violence services. Facilities that focused on a mix of mental health and substance abuse treatments were more likely than other types of facilities to offer domestic violence screening.
Because mental health problems and substance abuse problems co-occur so often, it is important to create a comprehensive treatment program that addresses all aspects of the individual’s struggles. By first identifying possible mental health disorders, health care providers may treat both mental disorders and substance abuse problems in a way to lessen the likelihood of a relapse.
