ASYNC - Coping Strategies for Psychosis and Substance Use Disorders

Course overview

Overall, this course identifies keys areas of focus for treating co-occurring substance use and psychotic disorders and offers evidence-based treatment strategies. It starts with a review of different models for understanding co-occurrence of substance use disorders (SUD) and psychosis. Strategies for addressing both SUD and psychosis will be presented with each model. Resources for applying these strategies are provided throughout the presentation. The course also cover common motivations for substance use. CBTp and Motivational Interviewing strategies are then described in relation to addressing risk factors for use such as boredom, social anxiety/psychosis, cravings, and environmental cues. The course also provides instruction in the area of sleep hygiene, cognitive restructuring of negative beliefs and using a decision balance (pros/cons) in order to expand the providers' tool kit of strategies. Finally, the course provides strategies for reducing the risk for relapse, including ways to include family and natural supports in this context.