This document provides an overview of essential information necessary for understanding mental health and substance use disorder parity and how to implement and comply with federal parity laws. This guide applies to parity laws in employer-sponsored health plans and group and individual insurance.

This Advisory is based on Technical Assistance Publication (TAP) 21, Addiction Counseling Competencies: The Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes of Professional Practice. It discusses the development of the counseling competencies and the validated research on which they are based, provides a simplified overview of their structure and the elements of a typical competency, and outlines how these competencies are changing the field of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment nationwide. The Advisory also addresses the critical role of cultural competency.

This fact sheet serves as a guide for individuals seeking behavioral health treatment. It provides three necessary steps to complete prior to utilizing a treatment center and the five signs of a quality treatment center, which include a review of the accreditation, medication, evidence-based practices, position on the role of families, and support networks.

Designed for organizations that provide services to older adults, this toolkit offers information and materials to help understanding the issues associated with substance misuse and mental illness in older adults. The toolkit also contains materials to educate older adults.

This report offers best practices for implementing the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. It covers processes for implementing parity and collaborating with other organizations. The report also discusses tools for understanding and monitoring compliance.

This advisory summarizes data on the use of sublingual and transmucosal buprenorphine for the medication-assisted treatment of opioid use disorder.

This guide enhances the competencies of substance use disorder treatment counselors. It discusses patient assessment and screening, treatment planning, referral, service coordination, counseling, family and community education, and cultural competency.

This report presents spending information for treatment of mental illness, substance use disorders, or both for people only enrolled in Medicaid, and those enrolled in both Medicaid and Medicare. The report also covers fee-for-service spending and managed care spending.

This report provides a snapshot of key aspects of behavioral health, serious mental illness, suicidal thoughts, and mental illness, substance use disorders, or both. The information is based on selected determinants of health, including race and ethnicity, income level, geography, and health insurance status.

This manual provides guidelines for the operation of opioid treatment programs. It covers patient assessment, treatment planning, and recovery care. The manual also offers guidance for medication-assisted treatment for methadone and buprenorphine, and overdose and relapse prevention.