Final answer:
Integrated treatment is a holistic approach designed to treat individuals with co-occurring disorders, such as substance abuse combined with mental health issues, by providing simultaneous, coordinated care to address all aspects of the patient's conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Integrated treatment refers to a comprehensive approach that addresses the complexities of treating individuals with co-occurring disorders, such as substance abuse and mental health disorders, or individuals who may be dealing with both auto-immune and mental health disorders. This treatment model aims to provide a seamless combination of services and therapy that considers all aspects of the patient's conditions, making the treatment more effective by addressing multiple issues simultaneously.
Integrated treatment is essential because when only one of the comorbid conditions is treated, the other may remain unchanged or even worsen. This could negatively impact the person's quality of life and ability to function effectively. For instance, the National Institute on Drug Abuse highlights the prevalence of comorbidity between addiction and other mental disorders, indicating the critical need for integrated treatment approaches. Furthermore, integrated treatment often involves group therapy sessions, as recommended in the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment's protocols, which can help foster a supportive environment conducive to recovery.