Integrating AOD and mental health sectors: dreaming the impossible dream?

This webinar looked at the reasons why the integration of AOD and mental health sectors has failed and outlines possible alternatives.

It almost goes without saying that addressing co-occurring alcohol and other drug and mental health issues is critical. But we have been attempting to bring these two areas together for more than 30 years without successful resolution. It is a challenge that has been well studied, and the problems are well understood, but very few programs translate to meaningful improvements in care.

In 2020, a report was developed for the National Mental Health Commission that explores the role of alcohol and other drug policy, services, prevention and supports in a successful mental health system. We asked whether alcohol and other drug use is a mental health issue; what were the good things and less good things about integration; and asked whether services should be integrated and whether there were alternatives.

In this presentation, Nicole Lee presented findings from the report and explained a new framework for thinking about co-occurring disorders.