Community surveys and studies of clinical populations show that many clients with substance use disorders (SUDs) have co-existing psychiatric disorders (called dual or co-occurring disorders). Many of these clients also have HIV or “triple diagnoses” — SUDs, psychiatric illness and HIV. Clients with co-occurring disorders generally are more difficult to treat due to the complex nature of their disorders and the impact of these disorders on their overall functioning and ability to adhere to treatment.

This training provided information to increase participants' knowledge and skills in working with co-occurring disordered clients, particularly parents of young children. It focused on the relationships between psychiatric and substance use disorders and HIV, common problems among clients, psychosocial treatment approaches, pharmacotherapy, self-help groups, adherence, and relapse issues. An integrated model of treatment was presented that can be adapted to individual or group treatment contexts.

Families and children are often affected adversely by substance use, psychiatric or co-occurring disorders, and in many instances the family burden is great. This training reviewed the impact of co-occurring disorders on the family and discuss family issues and involvement of the family in treatment and recovery. Principles and strategies for helping the family and strengthening parent-child relationships were included. This training integrated empirical, clinical and self-help literature including findings from quality improvement and clinical research studies conducted by the presenter and colleagues at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

Training Objectives

• Identify the prevalence of co-occurring disorders and effects on the client.
• Identify the relationships between HIV and co-occurring disorders and the effects on the client.
• Cite evidenced-based treatments of co-occurring disorders.
• Describe screening and assessment processes and tools to aid in assessment of co-occurring disorders.
• Tell of the impact of co-occurring disorders on the family as a unit and strategies to help the family.
• Identify the impact of a parent’s co-occurring disorder on children and strategies that support the parent-child relationship.
• Describe an integrated model of treatment for co-occurring disorders in individual and group sessions.
• Identify factors contributing to adherence problems and relapse.
• Identify contributors to and effects of poor treatment adherence/relapse and strategies to improve adherence and reduce relapse risk.
• Cite treatment issues and approaches for substance use disorders combined with psychiatric disorders and HIV.
• Articulate types and formats of group treatments and group curricula on managing emotions, building support systems and learning relapse prevention strategies.

Presented by Dennis C. Daley, PhD, LCSW [bio]
Nationally renowned professor, researcher, clinician, trainer

Training presentation slides [PDF]