Which statement about co-occurring disorders is true according to ASAM guidelines?

• A. Co-occurring disorders are treated only in general medical settings
• B. Co-occurring disorders require inpatient psychiatric care only
• C. Co-occurring disorders should be placed in specialty addiction mental health programs
• D. Co-occurring disorders do not affect treatment planning

Answer: (C)

Integrated care for co-occurring disorders is emphasized by ASAM. When someone has both a substance use disorder and a mental health condition, treatment works best when these issues are addressed together in a coordinated way. Placing individuals in specialty addiction-mental health programs ensures access to clinicians who are skilled in treating both areas, uses integrated assessment and treatment planning, and provides the appropriate level of care for both conditions across the recovery process. This approach supports simultaneous use of evidence-based therapies for addiction and mental health, coordinated medical management, and ongoing monitoring to adjust the plan as needs change.

Treating co-occurring disorders only in general medical settings can miss specialized addiction or psychiatric components. Requiring inpatient psychiatric care only can be too narrow for many cases and may not address the addiction side in a practical, ongoing way. And assuming co-occurring disorders don’t affect treatment planning ignores how mental health symptoms can influence motivation, safety, and response to treatment.