For decades, behavioral health providers have operated in isolated silos, leaving patients to navigate a fragmented and often confusing system of care for substance use disorders (SUDs), mental health conditions, and co-occurring disorders such as depression, anxiety, and trauma. Each of these issues was typically addressed by separate providers, forcing patients to juggle multiple appointments, treatment plans, and systems. This approach created significant challenges in ensuring consistent, comprehensive care, making recovery more difficult and less effective for many individuals. However, as awareness grows about the importance of addressing the full spectrum of a patient’s needs, providers are making strides toward breaking down these barriers and integrating services to offer more holistic treatments.
In recent years, many behavioral health providers have made a concerted effort to integrate SUD treatment with care for other mental health conditions, offering more comprehensive services that account for the whole person. The goal is to meet not just the immediate addiction-related needs but also address underlying issues such as anxiety, trauma, depression, and social determinants of health. Holistic Substance Use Treatment approaches are gaining momentum—and for good reason. According to Jeremy Klemanski, CEO of Gateway Foundation, “From an efficacy of care perspective, it makes sense. From the perspective of people getting care, it makes sense. In terms of where we think payers are headed in the future, it makes sense.” This holistic approach is not only beneficial from a clinical standpoint but also from the perspective of providers and payers, who are increasingly recognizing the value of integrated care.
Gateway Foundation: A Model for Integrated Care
One organization leading the charge in integrated care is Gateway Foundation, a Chicago-based nonprofit that provides SUD and mental health treatment across a variety of states, including Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, Texas, and Wyoming. The organization offers a range of gender-specific programs, including withdrawal management, residential inpatient treatment, partial hospitalization programs (PHPs), intensive outpatient programs (IOPs), and sober living homes. Gateway Foundation has embraced the idea of integrating mental health treatment with addiction care, offering specialized programs that address trauma, depression, and other conditions that frequently co-occur with substance use disorders. This model reflects the growing demand for Holistic Substance Use Treatment that targets not only addiction but also the mental health and emotional challenges individuals face.
While this shift towards more integrated care is gaining momentum, there are significant challenges that must be addressed. It’s crucial that providers carefully navigate the complexities of integrating services, ensuring that the new models of care are both clinically effective and financially sustainable. The potential benefits of Holistic Substance Use Treatment are substantial and can ultimately transform the way behavioral health services are delivered.
Clinical and Business Benefits of Diversified Service Lines
Expanding service lines has the potential to benefit both patients and providers alike, but it also offers significant advantages for the business side of the behavioral health industry. One company that has seen the positive effects of diversified services is Defining Wellness Centers, based in Jackson, Mississippi. Andrew Rothermel, CEO of Defining Wellness, explains that the company has integrated a wide range of mental health services, trauma care, and treatment for medically compromised individuals into its care model. Rothermel emphasizes that this diversification isn’t just beneficial for patient care; it’s also critical for the financial viability of the business. “Because of the level of acuity of patients that are presenting to us, we have to defensively offer some of [diversified] services to take advantage of the leads that we’re generating,” he said. Without this broader range of services, Defining Wellness would face skyrocketing patient acquisition costs and declining conversion rates.
Health plans have also largely supported the trend toward integrated care. Payers, both public and private, recognize that providing comprehensive services can reduce long-term costs and improve patient outcomes. For instance, while certain services—such as mental health care for conditions like depression or trauma—may not always be reimbursed immediately, offering these services leads to better overall health outcomes for patients. These better outcomes, in turn, reduce the need for more expensive interventions and hospitalizations. In the long run, payers benefit from more effective and cost-efficient treatment, which is why they are increasingly willing to reimburse integrated services. Holistic Substance Use Treatment has proven to be an essential part of this equation, helping to address both the psychological and physical aspects of recovery.
Addressing the Whole Person: Beyond SUDs
A key aspect of integrated care is the focus on treating the whole person, not just the specific condition they present with. SUDs, in particular, often don’t exist in a vacuum. They are frequently intertwined with other mental health issues, trauma histories, and social factors like housing instability, unemployment, and poverty. Addressing these interconnected factors is critical for long-term recovery. According to Stacy DiStefano, CEO of Consulting for Human Services, “SUDs do not occur in a vacuum. Adding wrap-around services that keep social determinants of health and contributing factors of SUDs can support a comprehensive approach to care.” Holistic Substance Use Treatment recognizes the importance of these interconnected issues, offering a model of care that treats the entire person, not just the addiction.
A whole-person care model, which integrates services for SUDs, mental health conditions, trauma, and social services, offers a more holistic approach to recovery. By considering the many factors that impact a person’s well-being, providers can offer more tailored, effective care. Payers are also increasingly recognizing the importance of this integrated approach. As DiStefano points out, “It makes perfect sense from a payer perspective. When you start to remove those silos and provide the care that’s needed in a much more efficient way, you’re going to get better outcomes, and you’re going to save money in the long run.” This efficiency is a central component of Holistic Substance Use Treatment, which emphasizes not just addiction recovery, but emotional healing, mental health stabilization, and social support.
For organizations serving populations covered by public insurance, such as Medicaid or Medicare, the trend toward integrated care is even more pronounced. As Klemanski notes, “When we take a look at the public market, for example, the Medicaid, Medicare market, if that’s a payer source that you rely on and you chase, the models are moving in the direction of demanding integrated care, whether you historically want to provide it or not.” Providers that are slow to embrace Holistic Substance Use Treatment risk falling behind as payers increasingly demand these comprehensive models.
Expanding Opportunities in Behavioral Health
Beyond the financial and clinical benefits, diversifying services also opens up opportunities to address emerging gaps in care. DiStefano notes that there is a growing need to address the substance use issues among neurodivergent populations, who may face unique challenges when it comes to treatment. Similarly, Klemanski recommends that providers consider offering services for impulse control disorders, digital addiction, and gambling—conditions that are becoming more prevalent and harder to treat. These underserved populations represent an untapped market with significant potential for growth.
The need for integrated services is also driving a “race” to fill gaps in underserved areas. As behavioral health needs grow and evolve, the demand for comprehensive, integrated care models will continue to rise. Providers who are able to meet these needs with a holistic approach will be well-positioned to thrive in an increasingly competitive market. Holistic Substance Use Treatment provides the framework to address these emerging needs while ensuring comprehensive care for all patients.
Overcoming Challenges in Integration
While the benefits of diversifying service lines are clear, providers face a number of challenges when attempting to integrate services across behavioral health specialties. One of the most significant obstacles is the need to shift organizational culture. Mental health providers and SUD providers often have different treatment approaches, and integrating these two cultures requires time, careful planning, and commitment. Rothermel stresses that providers must take the time to train staff, build a cohesive culture, and ensure clinicians are competent in both specialties.
Furthermore, issues related to ownership and accountability may arise when integrating services. Providers must determine whether patients belong to the SUD side or the mental health side of the organization, and they must ensure that peer support services are appropriately integrated into the care model. The key to successful integration lies in ensuring that clinician teams across specialties can work together effectively. This requires strong leadership, ongoing training, and clear communication to address any issues that arise during the integration process.
Despite these challenges, the benefits of integrated care far outweigh the difficulties. By offering comprehensive care that addresses the full range of a patient’s needs, providers can improve patient outcomes, lower costs, and create a more sustainable and effective system of care. The future of behavioral health care depends on embracing Holistic Substance Use Treatment that integrates SUDs and mental health care to foster lasting recovery and improved well-being.
