Participants will learn about specific treatment modalities for which there is a dearth of literature addressing HIV-infected cohorts providing a discussion of issues around substance use treatment as an HIV prevention tool. This training will explore the complex intersection of substance use, mental health disorders, and HIV, often referred to as a “triple diagnosis,” and how these conditions influence one another. Participants will gain an understanding of current medical, psychological, and harm reduction strategies used to support individuals across all three areas of need. The course will highlight common barriers to treatment access and retention, including stigma, trauma, and systemic inequities. Emphasis will be placed on integrated, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed approaches to care that promote engagement, adherence, and improved long-term outcomes.
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:
- Identify and explain the interconnected impacts of substance use, mental health disorders, and HIV infection
- Demonstrate knowledge of current medical, psychological, and harm reduction strategies
- Recognize the barriers to treatment access and retention
- Apply principles of integrated care and culturally responsive treatment planning
- Evaluate and utilize trauma-informed approaches and motivational strategies
Syllabus:
Objective #1: Understanding HIV, HBV, and HCV
- Overview of HIV as a retrovirus and progression to AIDS
- Basic transmission and prevention strategies
- Key facts about Hepatitis B and C
- Importance of clinician education and language accessibility
Objective #2: Stages of HIV and Medical Interventions
- HIV stages: acute infection, clinical latency, and AIDS
- Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
- Antiretroviral therapy (ART) and its role in viral load management
- Counseling clients on prevention, exposure, and follow-up care
Objective #3: Mental Health and Substance Use in HIV Context
- Co-occurrence of psychiatric disorders and substance use in HIV-positive individuals
- Substance use as both a direct and indirect transmission vector
- Impact of substance use on ART adherence and disease progression
- Common mental health disorders: depression, PTSD, personality disorders
Objective #4: Barriers to Treatment and Service Utilization
- Socioeconomic, racial, and gender disparities in care access
- Underutilization of substance use treatment among HIV-positive individuals
- Impact of homelessness, trauma, and stigma on engagement
- Economic and logistical barriers to inpatient treatment
Objective #5: Psychiatric Comorbidities and Psychopathology
- High prevalence of depression, anxiety, and mood disorders in HIV patients
- Gender-based differences in psychiatric presentation and coping strategies
- Role of trauma, grief, and stigma in psychological distress
- HIV-associated dementia and cognitive impairment
Objective #6: Personality Disorders and Risk Behaviors
- Prevalence of Cluster B personality disorders in HIV-positive populations
- Influence of traits like impulsivity, entitlement, and narcissism on risky behaviors
- Behavioral patterns increasing risk of HIV transmission and complicating treatment
- Treatment implications for individuals with antisocial or borderline traits
Objective #7: Models of Integrated Treatment
- Importance of holistic, culturally responsive, and coordinated care
- Stages of engagement in HIV, psychiatric, and substance use treatment
- Importance of relapse planning and system-level consistency
- Use of multidisciplinary teams and trauma-informed approaches
Objective #8: Evidence-Based Treatment Approaches
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for reducing substance use and maladaptive behaviors
- Motivational Interviewing (MI) for enhancing readiness and adherence
- Transtheoretical Model for matching interventions to client readiness
- Structural Ecosystems Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for complex cases
Objective #9: Harm Reduction and Medication-Assisted Strategies
- Methadone maintenance and buprenorphine for opioid use disorders
- Clean injection equipment, needle exchange, and safe injection sites
- Use of PrEP/PEP as part of harm reduction
- Addressing multiple addictions through pharmacological and psychosocial supports
Objective #10: Cultural Competence and Intersectionality in Treatment
- Tailoring treatment to account for race, gender, sexual orientation, and class
- Stigma and its impact on treatment engagement and retention
- Integrating cultural humility and responsiveness into care models
- Encouraging client empowerment through inclusive, nonjudgmental support
Social workers completing this course receive 1.5 Clinical asynchronous continuing education credits.
For other board approvals, this course qualifies for 1.5 Clinical continuing education training.
Instructor: Shannon McCabe, MA, LCAS, CCS, CCJP, CPS
Recording Date: March 18, 2024
CEUS On-Demand, LLC, provider #2274, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 08/7/2026 - 08/6/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 1.5hrs Clinical continuing education credits.
CEUs On-Demand, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7091. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CEUs On-Demand, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
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Request for Special Accommodations: Learners can request special accommodations by contacting the administrative team at admin@ceus-ondemand.com