Adults

Explore comprehensive adult mental health and substance use treatment options. Learn about evidence-based approaches, what to expect during treatment, and how to find the right specialized care for adults.

Adult-focused behavioral health treatment addresses the unique needs of individuals ages 18 and older struggling with mental health conditions, substance use disorders, or co-occurring disorders. These specialized services are designed with the specific developmental, social, and psychological needs of adults in mind, recognizing the distinct challenges they face compared to adolescents or older adults [1].


According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), more than one in five U.S. adults (23.1%) live with a mental illness, representing approximately 59.3 million people in 2022. The prevalence spans from mild to moderate to severe conditions, with about 6% of adults experiencing serious mental illness that substantially interferes with major life activities. These statistics underscore the significant need for specialized adult treatment services [1].


The Prevalence of Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders in Adults

Mental health and substance use disorders affect millions of adults across various demographic groups:

  • Among U.S. adults with mental illness, only about half (50.6%) received mental health treatment in the past year

  • Women are more likely than men to receive mental health treatment (56.9% versus 41.6%)

  • Young adults aged 18-25 years show higher prevalence of serious mental illness (11.6%) compared to adults aged 50 and older (3.0%)

  • Mental health treatment rates vary significantly by race and ethnicity, with non-Hispanic white adults more likely to receive care than other groups [3]

These statistics highlight both the widespread nature of adult mental health concerns and the gaps in treatment access that specialized programs aim to address.


Why Dedicated Adult Treatment Matters

Adult-specific treatment programs recognize that adults face distinct challenges compared to other age groups. These programs are designed to address the complex interplay between mental health, substance use, personal responsibilities, relationships, and career demands that characterize adult life.


Addressing Adult-Specific Needs and Challenges

Adults typically juggle multiple roles and responsibilities that can both contribute to mental health challenges and complicate treatment. Specialized adult programs consider factors such as work demands and career pressures, family responsibilities including parenting and caring for aging parents, financial stressors and obligations, relationship dynamics and interpersonal challenges, and physical health conditions that may interact with mental health [2].


Adult treatment programs help individuals navigate these realities while developing healthier coping mechanisms and addressing underlying mental health or substance use disorders.


Evidence-Based Treatment Approaches for Adults

The field of adult mental health treatment has developed numerous evidence-based practices (EBPs) that have demonstrated effectiveness through rigorous scientific research. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), evidence-based practices integrate the best available research with clinical expertise and patient values to guide treatment decisions [2].


Key evidence-based approaches commonly used in adult treatment include:


How Adult Treatment Programs Work

Adult treatment programs operate at various levels of intensity to match individual needs:

Comprehensive Assessment and Personalized Treatment Planning

Effective adult treatment begins with a thorough assessment that examines current symptoms and their severity, history of mental health and substance use issues, previous treatment experiences and outcomes, current medications and physical health status, life circumstances including work, relationships, and living situation, as well as personal strengths, goals, and preferences [4].


This assessment forms the foundation for a personalized treatment plan that addresses the adult's specific challenges and builds on their strengths and resources.


Levels of Care for Adult Treatment

Adult treatment is available along a continuum of care intensity, allowing for appropriate matching of services to individual needs:

  • Inpatient/Residential Treatment: Provides 24-hour care in a structured environment, typically for adults with severe symptoms who require intensive support and monitoring. This level of care may last from several days to several weeks depending on individual needs.

  • Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP): Offers structured treatment during the day while allowing adults to return home in the evenings. Typically involves 5-7 days of programming per week for several hours each day.

  • Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP): Provides concentrated treatment several days per week while allowing adults to maintain work, education, and family responsibilities. Usually involves 3-5 days of programming for 2-4 hours each day.

  • Standard Outpatient Care: Involves regular therapy sessions (typically once weekly) and medication management as needed, allowing adults to maintain their normal routines while receiving ongoing support.

  • Aftercare and Recovery Support: Offers ongoing support following more intensive treatment, which may include support groups, check-in sessions, and community resources.


Multidisciplinary Treatment Teams

Adult treatment programs typically employ a team of professionals with various specializations to address different aspects of recovery. This team-based approach ensures comprehensive care that addresses all aspects of an adult's recovery needs and may include psychiatrists for diagnostic assessment and medication management, psychologists and therapists for individual and group therapy, social workers for case management and resource coordination, addiction counselors for substance use treatment, nurses for medical monitoring and education, and vocational specialists to address career and employment needs [5].


Common Treatment Modalities in Adult Programs

Therapy Approaches

Adult treatment programs typically offer various therapy modalities tailored to individual needs:

  • Individual Therapy: One-on-one sessions with a trained therapist allow adults to explore personal challenges, develop coping skills, and work through specific issues in a confidential setting. Individual therapy can be particularly helpful for addressing trauma or sensitive topics that may be difficult to discuss in group settings.

  • Group Therapy: Structured group sessions bring together adults facing similar challenges to share experiences, provide mutual support, and learn from one another. Different types of groups may focus on specific skills (such as emotion regulation or relapse prevention) or particular challenges (such as trauma recovery or grief).

  • Family Therapy: Sessions involving family members help improve communication, resolve conflicts, and develop healthier relationship patterns. Family therapy recognizes the important role that family dynamics play in adult mental health and recovery.


Medication Management

For many adults with mental health or substance use disorders, medication can be an essential component of treatment. Antidepressants, mood stabilizers, or anti-anxiety medications may help manage symptoms of mental health disorders. Medications for substance use disorders can reduce cravings and support recovery. Regular monitoring ensures effectiveness and manages potential side effects, while medication education helps adults understand their treatment and make informed decisions [4].


Skill-Building and Psychoeducation

Adult treatment programs emphasize developing practical skills for managing symptoms and improving daily functioning. These may include stress management and relaxation techniques, communication and assertiveness skills, problem-solving and decision-making strategies, emotion regulation and distress tolerance, relapse prevention planning, and health and wellness practices.


Specialized Adult Treatment for Specific Conditions

Treatment for Co-occurring Disorders

Many adults experience both mental health and substance use disorders simultaneously. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 33.5% of U.S. adults with mental illness also experienced a substance use disorder in 2021 [3]. Integrated treatment approaches address both conditions concurrently, recognizing their interrelated nature.


Effective co-occurring disorder treatment addresses both conditions as primary concerns, uses a unified treatment team rather than separate providers, tailors interventions to the specific combination of disorders, and provides comprehensive support for all aspects of recovery.


Trauma-Informed Care for Adults

Many adults seeking mental health or substance use treatment have experienced significant trauma, either in childhood or adulthood. Trauma-informed care approaches recognize the prevalence of trauma and its impact on mental health and substance use.


Key elements of trauma-informed care include creating physically and emotionally safe environments, building trust through transparency and consistency, providing opportunities for choice and control, emphasizing strengths and resilience, and avoiding practices that might trigger or retraumatize.


Treatment for Serious Mental Illness

Adults with serious mental illness (SMI), such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or severe depression, often require specialized treatment approaches. According to NIMH, approximately 15.4 million adults (6.0% of all U.S. adults) had SMI in 2022 [1].


Specialized treatment for SMI may include intensive case management to coordinate various services, psychiatric rehabilitation to improve functioning in daily life, supported employment or education programs, peer support services from others with lived experience, and family education and support.


What to Expect During Adult Treatment

The adult treatment journey typically follows several phases:

Initial Engagement and Assessment

The treatment process begins with intake procedures to gather basic information, comprehensive assessment of symptoms, history, and needs, explanation of program expectations and procedures, discussion of goals and preferences for treatment, and development of an initial treatment plan.


Active Treatment Phase

The core treatment period involves regular participation in scheduled therapy sessions and groups, implementation of medication plans if appropriate, development and practice of new coping skills, addressing specific challenges and symptom management, and regular review and adjustment of treatment plans.


Transition Planning and Aftercare

As treatment progresses, the focus shifts to preparing for reduced level of care or program completion, developing a comprehensive continuing care plan, connecting with community resources and supports, establishing relapse prevention strategies, and planning for ongoing recovery management.


How to Determine if Adult Treatment Is Right for You

Consider seeking specialized adult treatment if you're experiencing persistent symptoms that affect your daily functioning, self-help strategies haven't been sufficient to address your concerns, you're struggling with substance use or addiction, previous treatment experiences haven't adequately addressed your needs, or you're facing major life transitions or stressors that are difficult to manage.


Find the Right Adult Treatment Facility

If you or someone you care about needs specialized adult mental health or substance use treatment, finding the right program is essential. Use our treatment facility locator to find the help you need.


Our comprehensive directory allows you to search for facilities that specialize in adult treatment based on location and setting, specific conditions treated, levels of care offered, treatment approaches, and insurance and payment options.


Remember that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. With appropriate treatment, adults can recover from mental health and substance use disorders and build more satisfying lives.


Browse our treatment directory today to find adult treatment programs that can provide the specialized care you deserve.


References

[1] National Institute of Mental Health. "Mental Illness." https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness

[2] Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. "Evidence-Based Practices Resource Center." https://www.samhsa.gov/resource-search/ebp

[3] National Alliance on Mental Illness. "Mental Health By the Numbers." https://www.nami.org/about-mental-illness/mental-health-by-the-numbers/

[4] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Mental Health Treatment Among Adults: United States, 2019." https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db380.htm

[5] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Mental Health Treatment Among Adults Ages 18–44: United States, 2019-2021." https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db444.htm