Co-Occurring Disorders

Our program provides a range of evidence-based therapies and supportive services tailored for individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Here’s a brief overview of what to expect in your weekly schedule:

• Process/Goal Setting
  Start your day with intention. This group supports reflection, peer sharing, and setting daily goals to promote growth and personal accountability throughout treatment.
• Cognitive Behavioral Integrated Therapy (CBIT)
  CBIT blends traditional cognitive-behavioral therapy with substance use recovery strategies. It helps you challenge unhelpful thinking, develop healthy coping tools, and address both mental health and substance use together.
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
  DBT is designed to help manage intense emotions and improve relationships. You’ll learn concrete skills in mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and effective communication.
• Sensorimotor Psychotherapy
  A body-based therapy that helps you become more aware of how stress and trauma are stored in the body. Learn to reconnect with your physical self and regulate emotions through movement and mindfulness.
• Recovery and Return to Use Prevention
  This group teaches how to recognize relapse warning signs, develop prevention plans, and build a resilient recovery. Discussions include harm reduction, motivation, and navigating triggers.
• Creating Change or Seeking Safety
  These groups promote positive behavior change and healing from trauma. Creating Change groups are action-oriented, while Seeking Safety offers tools to stay safe from trauma and substance use without requiring you to revisit painful memories.
• Music Therapy
  Use music to explore your emotions, tell your story, and connect with others. No musical experience needed—just a willingness to engage and express yourself.
• Recreational Therapy
  Rediscover joy and creativity in recovery. These sessions involve fun, meaningful activities that reduce stress and encourage social connection.

Example Schedule

Who We Serve

• Adults (18 and older): The program is designed for individuals who are 18 years and older.
• Co-Occurring Substance Use and Mental Health Disorders: The program is tailored for individuals facing both substance use and mental health challenges simultaneously.
• Medically Stable Individuals: Participants should be medically stable and not require 24-hour supervision.

Exclusion Criteria

• Individuals Under 18: The program is exclusively for adults, and individuals under the age of 18 are not eligible.
• Single Diagnosis: The program is specifically designed for those dealing with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders. Individuals with only one of these diagnoses may not meet the criteria.
• Medical Instability: Individuals requiring 24-hour supervision due to medical instability are not eligible for this program.
• Cognitive Impairment: Individuals with significant cognitive impairment (e.g., intellectual disability or major neurocognitive disorder) may benefit from alternative supports better suited to their needs.

1. Referral or Inquiry: Individuals may be referred by healthcare providers, family members, or may self-refer. Initial contact can be made by phone or through an Epic consult (for internal UTHealth providers). To refer by phone, please call 713-500-4500. If you are an internal provider with Epic access and need assistance placing a consult, please reach out via the BSC Co-Occurring Disorders chat, our team is happy to support you.
   
   
2. Initial Screening: A member of our team will conduct a brief phone screening to determine basic eligibility (age 18+, co-occurring mental health and substance use needs, medical stability).
   
   
3. Comprehensive Assessment: If eligible, the individual is scheduled for an in-depth biopsychosocial assessment using American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) structured assessment to determine appropriate level of care (PHP or IOP). If an individual would benefit from a higher level of care than they’re currently ready for, we support entry at their current stage and collaborate on a readiness plan.
   
   
4. Treatment Planning: Following assessment, a personalized treatment plan is collaboratively developed with the participant, including therapy, case management, group programming, and medication support as needed.
   
   
5. Program Start: Once admitted, participants begin attending structured group and individual sessions at the assigned level of care. The length of stay is individualized and reviewed weekly by the clinical team.
   
   
6. Reassessment & Step-Down Planning: Patients are regularly reassessed to adjust care as needed—stepping down in intensity when clinically appropriate or transitioning to aftercare support. All patients are reassessed by their clinician bi-weekly utilizing ASAM criteria. Based on this information, patients are able to either step-up to a higher level of care or continue in stepped-care programming

We recognize that co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders are complex and can be difficult to understand and navigate without support.

Please see below for some resources on substance use and mental health support groups.

• Co-Occurring Disorders and Other Health Conditions | SAMHSA
• Managing Life with Co-Occurring Disorders | SAMHSA
• Support & Education | National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
• Harm Reduction | SAMHSA

What insurance is accepted?

Currently we accept Medicare, Medicaid, and a variety of commercial insurances. 

What options are available for those without transportation?

As part of meeting each patient’s individualized needs, the program can assist with bus vouchers or transportation by van. Availability of hospital van transportation will be discussed based on location of pick-up and current van census. If a patient’s insurance covers medical transport, the intensive case manager can assist the patient in setting this up.

What about parking?

Patients who drive to treatment will be required to either park in the secured TMC lot and pay the daily fee or to utilize unsecured street parking (limited availability).

Does the program offer prescriptions for medication assisted treatment (MAT)?

YES. The program offers a variety of MAT options that patients can be prescribed and filled at their local pharmacy. We do not currently offer Methadone but will collaborate with outside agencies if this is a part of a patient’s recovery plan.

I am not sure if the patient is a good referral to program or not– who can I ask?

Our team is happy to discuss an individual’s circumstances and help understand if our program can best meet their needs. If we are not the right fit, we provide alternative referral options.

Is complete abstinence a requirement of the program?

Our program is aligned with best practice guidelines for entry at any level and applying harm reduction strategies to improve quality of life. While motivation to change substance use behavior is required for engagement in treatment, this program follows best practices of meeting people where they are at and supporting their recovery journey. However, patients are expected to show up clear-minded and not under the influence of any substances during treatment hours.

What is Harm Reduction?

Substance use harm reduction is a public health approach that focuses on minimizing the negative consequences of drug and alcohol use without necessarily requiring abstinence. It recognizes that people use substances for various reasons and meets individuals "where they are" rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all goal like sobriety.

Is harm reduction the same as encouraging drug use?
NO. Harm reduction does not condone or promote substance use—it aims to reduce health risks and improve quality of life, whether someone is working toward recovery, not ready for abstinence, or anywhere in between.

What does harm reduction look like in your program?
We offer education on safer use, support for reducing or quitting including tailored harm-reduction safety plans, access to naloxone, support for safer use or gradual reduction, and compassionate, nonjudgmental counseling. Our goal is to keep people safe, engaged, and supported.