Mental and Substance Use Disorder Treatment for People with Physical and Cognitive Disabilities

Course overview

This course is based upon material published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and is available as an open access article. This course highlights how mental and substance use disorder treatment programs can better serve people with physical and cognitive disabilities and substance use disorders and or serious mental illness. It includes some recommendations that are required, may be required, or may exceed the requirements of the federal, state, or local disability rights laws. Some people with physical and cognitive disabilities may have different mental illness and or substance misuse presentations compared to those without disabilities. Providers should develop expertise in understanding best practices for this population. This course on mental health treatment for the physically and cognitively disabled is designed for social workers, professional counselors, psychologists, nurses, and substance abuse counselors, who do clinical work. This course is appropriate for beginning, intermediate and advanced level practitioners who wish to develop or increase their knowledge of behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment of the disabled. The course material includes a review of action steps. It may also be useful for licensed clinicians who require clinical continuing education courses for license renewal. Authors: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Learning Objectives: This course will provide the practitioner with detailed information regarding mental health treatment for the disabled. Specifically, a professional will: Demonstrate what is included in a client pathway analysis Identify resources for improving accessibility Summarize general principles for treatment approaches in working with people who have disabilities Citation: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2019). Substance Use Disorder Treatment for People with Physical and Cognitive Disabilities. Advisory.