A multimodal approach to understanding and addressing the co-morbidity of anxiety disorders and substance use disorders: Development of an integrated treatment strategy in adults and adolescents.

Anxiety disorders (ADs) are a debilitating form of mental illness associated with extreme distress, impaired functioning, and diminished quality of life. ADs and substance use disorders (SUDs) frequently occur together in both adults and youth. In most cases, the AD plays a role in the onset of the SUD and treatment outcomes are far worse for individuals with both disorders. In clinical practice, a major obstacle to effective care is that treatment for ADs and SUDs is provided by separate mental health and addictions systems. Objectives: This program of research brings together a research team with a broad range of expertise to develop, evaluate, and share a psychological treatment designed to target the symptoms of both ADs and SUDs together and increase our understanding of the magnitude and scope of co-occurring ADs and SUDs within Canada. Method: Population health survey data and experimental laboratory techniques will be used to identify factors that play a role in AD-SUD co-occurrence and guide treatment development. The treatment will be written in manual form and evaluated in a sample of adolescents and adults with co-occurring ADs and SUDs. Clinical Relevance: This research will further our understanding of the risk factors associated with co-occurring ADs and SUDs and identify barriers to treatment access and utilization within the Canadian healthcare system. The treatment model developed from this research can be used in both mental health and addictions settings, improving care for adults and adolescents struggling with co-occurring ADs and SUDs. Ongoing collaboration with key community partners throughout the research program allows for direct feedback and discussion of how findings may have an impact on current models of care. Finally, this research program will provide future clinicians and researchers with a unique training model for the development of expertise in AD-SUD co-occurrence.