The Harris Project is a 501 c3 charitable organization
Co-Occurring Disorders
What is COD?
The term co-occurring disorders (COD) refers to an individual having one or more mental health challenges plus substance (drug and/or alcohol) use issues. COD involves two diagnostic areas: mental health and substance use (other impacts include trauma, traumatic brain injury, genetics, and family history, etc.). Mental health challenges commonly associated with COD include:
mood disorders like depression or bipolar disorder
anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, panic disorder
Compared to those who have a mental health challenge or substance use issues alone, people with COD often experience more severe and chronic medical, social, and emotional problems. The challenge is to address both areas in an integrated way, so as to not compromise the best treatment for either one.
Approximately 21.5 million Americans meet the diagnostic criteria for COD each year. And it is estimated that one in two people with substance use issues also struggle with mental health challenges. (2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health; National Institute on Drug Abuse)
As the mental health and substance misuse and/or addiction pieces impact one another greatly, they should be treated with an integrated, comprehensive plan. (Source: Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration)
Many of those diagnosed with COD who seek treatment are often bounced among different programs because each fails to provide a model delivering integrated,comprehensive treatment. Unfortunately, most rehabilitation programs, while claiming to address COD, focus almost exclusively on the substance piece, and most find abstinence to be nearly impossible to maintain because of the unaddressed mental health challenge(s). On the flip side, addressing the mental health piece while still misusing substances compromises the success of any mental health program entered into.
A uniquely positioned grassroots organization, the harris project is the only 501(c)(3) organization created to promote, support and advance prevention programming, early intervention, screening, and the transformation of the system of care to one that is “co-occurring” or “complexity” capable to improve the lives of adolescents through young adults presenting with symptoms of and/or diagnosed with COD.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports the following statistics in 2023.
Every day in the United States, 287 people die as a result of drug overdose
In 2023 105,700 lives lost.
Drug overdoses remain the leading cause of injury death.
Excessive alcohol use was responsible for approximately 178,000 deaths.
Over 49,000 died by suicide in 2022.
We anticipate significant decreases in these numbers once COD becomes something that the general population understands. The link between mental health challenges and substance use issues is undeniable, and the need for proactive prevention programming, as well as integrated and comprehensive treatment is critical. Together we will bring COD: out of the shadows and into the light.
Co-Occurring Disorders
What is COD?
The term co-occurring disorders (COD) refers to an individual having one or more mental health challenges plus substance (drug and/or alcohol) use issues. COD involves two diagnostic areas: mental health and substance use (other impacts include trauma, traumatic brain injury, genetics, and family history, etc.). Mental health challenges commonly associated with COD include:
Compared to those who have a mental health challenge or substance use issues alone, people with COD often experience more severe and chronic medical, social, and emotional problems. The challenge is to address both areas in an integrated way, so as to not compromise the best treatment for either one.
Approximately 21.5 million Americans meet the diagnostic criteria for COD each year. And it is estimated that one in two people with substance use issues also struggle with mental health challenges. (2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health; National Institute on Drug Abuse)
As the mental health and substance misuse and/or addiction pieces impact one another greatly, they should be treated with an integrated, comprehensive plan. (Source: Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration)
Many of those diagnosed with COD who seek treatment are often bounced among different programs because each fails to provide a model delivering integrated,comprehensive treatment. Unfortunately, most rehabilitation programs, while claiming to address COD, focus almost exclusively on the substance piece, and most find abstinence to be nearly impossible to maintain because of the unaddressed mental health challenge(s). On the flip side, addressing the mental health piece while still misusing substances compromises the success of any mental health program entered into.
A uniquely positioned grassroots organization, the harris project is the only 501(c)(3) organization created to promote, support and advance prevention programming, early intervention, screening, and the transformation of the system of care to one that is “co-occurring” or “complexity” capable to improve the lives of adolescents through young adults presenting with symptoms of and/or diagnosed with COD.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports the following statistics in 2023.
We anticipate significant decreases in these numbers once COD becomes something that the general population understands. The link between mental health challenges and substance use issues is undeniable, and the need for proactive prevention programming, as well as integrated and comprehensive treatment is critical. Together we will bring COD: out of the shadows and into the light.