This foundational training offers agency staff an introductory overview of individuals diagnosed with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. This program is designed for those who do not have a significant background with co-occurring disorders and will discuss barriers to screening, assessment, and treatment of co-occurring disorders. Participants will gain insight into frequently occurring behavioral health conditions, contributing risk factors, and the impact of language and stigma on care. Updated and relevant research aligned with the ASAM Criteria Fourth Edition will be introduced along with the evolving models of integrated care and suggestions for how to best identify, screen and treat those with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.
Objectives:
After completing this course, learners will be able to:
- Discuss the prevalence of co-occurring disorders in both substance use treatment settings and the general population
- Compare treatment approaches—Addiction Only, Co-Occurring Capable, and Co-Occurring Enhanced—as defined by the ASAM Criteria Fourth Edition
- Describe the evolution from addiction-only services to integrated models of care
- Identify commonly occurring substance use and mental health disorders, along with key risk factors and etiologies
- Explore evidence-based therapies, screening tools, and the impact of language and stigma in the treatment of co-occurring disorders