Adults with these co-occurring disorders experience complex problems and face many service challenges. In addition, they have traditionally been forced to seek treatment for substance abuse and mental health services from separate delivery systems, leading to fragmented, ineffective care. In response, the IDDT Model was developed to serve this population. This evidence-based treatment protocol, tested in numerous clinical trials,  utilizes biopsychosocial, pharmacological, and psycho-educational interventions to address their needs.

Fidelity assessments were conducted during site visits by teams of trained investigators (researchers, administrators and program managers) utilizing a standardized fidelity scale created by the developers of the IDDT model. Fidelity scores given to programs after the site visits were accompanied by recommendations from the SAMI CCOE as to strategies that could be utilized to further strengthen adherence to the treatment model. Findings indicated an increase in fidelity scores over time, demonstrating the utility of  the fidelity and assessment recommendation process for increasing adherence to the treatment model.