Evaluation of the Integrated Intervention for Dual Problems and Early Action Among Latino Immigrants With Co-occurring Mental Health and Substance Misuse Symptoms

Key Points Question Would a tailored behavioral health intervention reduce substance misuse and mental health symptoms, compared with enhanced usual care, in Latino immigrants with co-occurring mental health and substance misuse symptoms? Findings In this randomized clinical trial from 3 sites of 341 immigrants with co-occurring mental health and substance misuse symptoms, the primary outcome of substance misuse did not change in the intent-to-treat analysis. Patients who received the treatment statistically significantly experienced decreased mental health symptoms, compared with controls under enhanced usual care, and only participants with moderate to severe symptoms who received the intervention statistically significantly reduced their substance misuse. Meaning The intervention did not change drug misuse in a heterogeneous sample but did improve secondary mental health outcomes, a finding that might provide a path for treating Latino immigrants with co-occurring mental health symptoms whose symptoms are in the moderate-to-severe range.