Common Comorbidities with Substance Use Disorders

Course overview

Course Description: This research report examines the complex relationships between substance use disorders (SUDs) and co-occurring mental health conditions, physical health comorbidities, and HIV. Drawing from national survey data and peer-reviewed research, the course explores the high prevalence of comorbidity, the biological and environmental mechanisms that underlie it, and the range of evidence-based pharmacological and behavioral interventions available for dually diagnosed individuals. Topics include the role of genetics and epigenetics in shared vulnerability, the connection between early trauma, stress, and addiction, the bidirectional relationship between mental illness and substance use, physical comorbidities such as chronic pain and infectious disease, the link between injection drug use and HIV transmission, and systemic barriers to integrated care. The course also addresses treatment approaches for youth and adults, including cognitive behavioral therapy, contingency management, medication-assisted treatment, and integrated care models supported by federal health care legislation. This course on common comorbidities with substance use disorders is designed for social workers, professional counselors, psychologists, nurses, and substance abuse counselors, who do clinical work. This course is appropriate for intermediate and advanced level practitioners who wish to develop or increase their knowledge of co-occurring mental health conditions, physical health comorbidities, and HIV in the context of substance use disorders. It may also be useful for licensed clinicians who require clinical continuing education courses for license renewal. Authors: National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Learning Objectives: This course will provide a professional with detailed information about common comorbidities with substance use disorders. Specifically, the practitioner will: 1. Identify the prevalence, contributing risk factors, and neurobiological mechanisms underlying the comorbidity between substance use disorders and mental health conditions. 2. Describe evidence-based pharmacological and behavioral treatment approaches for individuals with co-occurring substance use disorders and mental health or physical health conditions. 3. Explain the relationship between substance use disorders and HIV transmission, prevention strategies such as PrEP and the STTR model, and systemic barriers to comprehensive integrated treatment for dually diagnosed individuals. Citation: National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020, April). Common comorbidities with substance use disorders research report. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health.