Co-Morbidity Addiction and Other Mental Health Disorders Brief Intro

Course overview

Course Description: This course is based upon material published by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), whose materials are freely available. The course begins with an overview and definition of both mental illness and addiction and goes on to describe the prevalence of co-occurring disorders. Common factors in co-morbidity are also reviewed. Changes in the brain through development are reviewed, as well as how co-occurring disorders are diagnosed and treated. This course on co-occurring disorders is designed for social workers, professional counselors, psychologists, nurses, and substance abuse counselors, who do clinical work. This course is appropriate for beginning, and intermediate level practitioners who wish to develop their understanding of substance abuse treatment. Authors: National Institute on Drug Abuse Learning Objectives: This course will provide the practitioner with an introduction to co-occurring disorders. Specifically, a professional will: •Describe co-occurring disorders and social factors common to persons with co-occurring disorders. •Identify incidence of comorbidity. •Recognize diagnostic procedures for comorbidity. Citation: National Institute on Drug Abuse (2010). Research Report Series: Comorbidity: Addiction and Other Mental Illnesses. NIH Publication Number 10-5771