ADC404: Mental Illness, Addiction & Dual Diagnosis

Course Description

The content of this course is designed to address issues concerning the treatment of clients who have both a substance use disorder and another mental disorder. Counselors must recognize and address both conditions; otherwise the risk of relapse remains high. Learn the most significant predictor of treatment success, how to provide an empathic and continuous treatment relationship, how to recognize the criteria for a substance use disorder, and more.

Major changes have been made to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual in its 5th revision. The DSM-5 was published in 2013 after a twelve year process of revision. This course will review key changes to this important diagnostic tool, changes which include: 1) combining the substance abuse and substance dependence disorders into one heading of substance use disorder; 2) requiring that at least 2 criteria be met for this diagnosis; 3) adding cannabis withdrawal and caffeine withdrawal as new disorders; and 4) the addition of a new Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders section.

Course Objectives

After completing this course, you will be able to:

1. Understand how to assess and treat clients who present with both a mental health and a substance use disorder. 
2. Learn about the various treatment models commonly used to treat the dually diagnosed. 
3. Gain knowledge of simple principles and techniques for assessing a substance use disorder. 
4. Gain knowledge of some of the issues, principles, and procedures used to establish a psychiatric diagnosis. 
5. Understand how to recognize the diagnostic features of the more common mental health disorders. Learn the key treatment issues of those mental health disorders.

Syllabus

Course Materials & Tuition