Treating Concurrent Substance Use Among Adults

Course overview

Course Description: This course is based upon material published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and is available as an open-access article. Despite the increased prevalence of individuals using multiple substances at the same time, limited research exists on evidence-based treatment practices that have demonstrated improved outcomes for individuals who use more than one substance. Therefore, there is a need to identify and assess the effectiveness of treatment practices so that clinicians and organizations have the necessary resources and evidence-based practices to assist this population. The guide presents three evidence-based practices that engage and improve outcomes for individuals with concurrent substance use and concurrent substance use disorders: FDA-approved pharmacotherapy together with counseling to treat two substance combinations: 1. alcohol and cocaine dependence and 2. cocaine and opioid dependence; contingency management together with FDA-approved pharmacotherapy and counseling to treat two substance combinations: 1. cocaine and opioid use and dependence and 2. cocaine dependence and alcohol and opioid use; twelve-step facilitation therapy together with FDA-approved pharmacotherapy and counseling to treat two substance combinations: 1. cocaine and opioid dependence and 2. opioid and other substance dependence. The guide provides considerations and strategies for clinicians and organizations implementing evidence-based practices. These approaches will assist clinicians, behavioral health organizations, primary care providers, insurers, and policy makers in understanding, selecting, and implementing evidence-based interventions that support adults with concurrent substance use and/or concurrent substance use disorders. This course on evidence based practices for treating concurrent substance use among adults is designed for social workers, professional counselors, psychologists, nurses, and substance abuse counselors, who do clinical work. In addition, this course is appropriate for beginning, intermediate and advanced level practitioners who wish to develop their knowledge of evidence based practices for treating concurrent substance use among adults. The course material includes a literature review of interventions and research. It may also be useful for licensed clinicians who require continuing clinical education courses for license renewal. The course is based on a journal article that includes research. It contains statistical analysis and data that some clinicians enjoy reading and others do not. A significant benefit of reading research-based articles for continuing education is they provide practitioners with the latest findings in their field. Authors: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Learning Objectives: This course will provide the practitioner with detailed information regarding evidence based practices for treating concurrent substance use among adults. Specifically, a professional will: Recognize prevalence and patterns of substance use. Describe current evidence on the effectiveness of practices that address concurrent substance use. Describe guidance for selecting and implementing evidence based practices that address concurrent substance use. Identify examples of treatment programs that address concurrent substance use. Identify resources for evaluation and quality improvement of treatments that address concurrent substance use. Citation: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2021). Treating Concurrent Substance Use Among Adults. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/pep21-06-02-002.pdf