Treatment for Co-Occurring Behavioral Health Disorders

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CE Course Description 

Many individuals with substance use disorders (SUD) are also diagnosed with mental disorders and vice versa. Often, people who struggle with substance use also have an underlying mental health issue. While neither condition actually causes the other, they often exist together, and one condition can exacerbate the symptoms of the other. Approximately half of those with a mental illness or a substance use disorder will struggle with the other at some point in their life. Research suggests that co-occurring conditions need to be treated at the same time, and early detection and treatment for both conditions can greatly improve the person's recovery and quality of life. Since individuals with co-occurring mental and substance use disorders (COD) are common, professionals must be equipped with the skills and competencies to treat individuals with such issues. This course will introduce behavioral health professionals to co-occurring behavioral health disorders along with assessment, diagnoses, and treatment models.

Author: Kimberley Fortin, LCSW-R

CE Course Objectives

1. Identify methods of assessment and diagnosis of co-occurring behavioral health disorders. 
2. Explore Models of treatment for co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. 
3. Examine relapse prevention strategies that may improve treatment outcomes.

CE Course Outline

Introduction (5 mins)

1. Overview of course objectives (3 mins)
2. Importance of understanding co-occurring disorders (CODs) (2 mins)

Section 1: Co-occurring Disorders (20 mins)

1. Common Risk Factors (7 mins)
2. Mental Illness Contributes to Substance Use (6 mins)
3. Substance Use Contributes to Mental Illness (7 mins)

Section 2: Screening & Assessment (15 mins)

1. Screening (7 mins)
2. Assessment (8 mins)

Section 3: Diagnosis (10 mins)

1. Understanding diagnostic processes for CODs (10 mins)

Section 4: Treatment (30 mins)

1. Trauma-Informed Treatment of CODs (10 mins)
2. Behavioral Health Approaches (10 mins)
3. Medication (10 mins)

Section 5: Family Involvement (10 mins)

1. Role of family in supporting treatment and recovery (10 mins)

Section 6: Relapse Prevention (10 mins)

1. Strategies for maintaining long-term recovery (10 mins)

Section 7: Barriers to Treatment (15 mins)

1. Identifying Barriers to Care (7 mins)
2. Removing Barriers to Care (8 mins)

Conclusion (5 mins)

1. Recap of key points (3 mins)
2. Encouragement to apply knowledge in practice (2 mins)

Additional Resources:

1. References (Not timed)
2. Appendices (Not timed)

Total Time: 120 minutes (2 hours)
Course Level: Introductory

Course Date: 2024-01-02

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