This course will provide a comprehensive overview of co-occurring substance use and psychiatric disorders, including how to distinguish between dual diagnosis and co-occurring conditions in clinical practice. Participants will explore common mental health disorders that intersect with substance use, along with the diagnostic challenges involved in accurate assessment and treatment planning. The training will also examine real-world barriers to care and highlight evidence-based, integrated approaches such as Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Additionally, learners will gain insight into pharmacological considerations and strategies for delivering safe, effective, and person-centered care.
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:
- Differentiate between dual diagnosis and co-occurring disorders, and understand their clinical implications.
- Identify the most common psychiatric disorders that co-occur with substance use and understand their diagnostic complexities.
- Examine real-world treatment barriers and systemic challenges faced by individuals with co-occurring disorders (COD).
- Evaluate evidence-based integrated treatment approaches including Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
- Recognize pharmacological considerations and contraindications when treating co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders.
Syllabus:
Objective #1: Understanding Dual Diagnosis vs. Co-Occurring Disorders
- Definitions and distinctions between dual diagnosis and co-occurring disorders
- Overview of the self-medication hypothesis
- Addiction as a mental illness: impact on brain and behavior
- Epidemiological data on comorbidity of substance use and psychiatric disorders
Objective #2: Diagnostic Complexities and Common Comorbidities
- Common psychiatric diagnoses seen with substance use: depression, PTSD, ADHD, OCD, etc.
- Diagnostic dilemmas: drug-induced symptoms vs. primary psychiatric illness
- Scenarios of symptom presentation and overlapping causes
- Genetic, neurological, and environmental contributions to comorbidity
Objective #3: Real-World Treatment Challenges
- Barriers to implementing integrated treatment approaches
- Lack of dual-specialty trained providers and limited access to care
- Fragmented service delivery systems and misdiagnosis risks
- The stigma, motivational challenges, and insight issues in COD populations
Objective #4: Evidence-Based Integrated Treatment Approaches
- Importance of concurrent treatment for both disorders
- Motivational Interviewing (MI): principles, techniques, and decisional balance
- Introduction to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for dual disorders
- Case study analysis: applying MI and CBT techniques to a real scenario
Objective #5: Pharmacotherapy and Medication-Assisted Treatment
- Principles of pharmacologic management in COD populations
- Risk-benefit assessment of using potentially addictive medications
- Monitoring side effects and drug interactions (e.g., benzos and opioids)
- Medication crossover benefits (e.g., antipsychotics, antidepressants)
- Individualized treatment planning and the person-centered care model
Social workers completing this course receive 3 Clinical asynchronous continuing education credits.
For other board approvals, this course qualifies for 3 Clinical continuing education training.
Instructor: Shannon McCabe, MA, LCAS, CCS, CCJP, CPS
Recording Date: November 1, 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 3hrs 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.
System Requirements: Firefox, Chrome, Brave, Safari, Edge on any modern operating system (Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS). A desktop browser is recommended. We do not provide support resources for issues encountered using a mobile device.
Request for Special Accommodations: Learners can request special accommodations by contacting the administrative team at admin@ceus-ondemand.com