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CE Course Description 

Many individuals with substance use disorders (SUD) are also diagnosed with mental disorders and vice versa. Often, people who struggle with substance use also have an underlying mental health issue. While neither condition actually causes the other, they often exist together, and one condition can exacerbate the symptoms of the other. Approximately half of those with a mental illness or a substance use disorder will struggle with the other at some point in their life. Research suggests that co-occurring conditions need to be treated at the same time, and early detection and treatment for both conditions can greatly improve the person's recovery and quality of life. Since individuals with co-occurring mental and substance use disorders (COD) are common, professionals must be equipped with the skills and competencies to treat individuals with such issues. This course will introduce behavioral health professionals to co-occurring behavioral health disorders along with assessment, diagnoses, and treatment models.

Author: Kimberley Fortin, LCSW-R

CE Course Objectives

1. Identify methods of assessment and diagnosis of co-occurring behavioral health disorders. 
2. Explore Models of treatment for co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. 
3. Examine relapse prevention strategies that may improve treatment outcomes.

CE Course Outline

Introduction (5 mins)

1. Overview of course objectives (3 mins)
2. Importance of understanding co-occurring disorders (CODs) (2 mins)

Section 1: Co-occurring Disorders (20 mins)

1. Common Risk Factors (7 mins)
2. Mental Illness Contributes to Substance Use (6 mins)
3. Substance Use Contributes to Mental Illness (7 mins)

Section 2: Screening & Assessment (15 mins)

1. Screening (7 mins)
2. Assessment (8 mins)

Section 3: Diagnosis (10 mins)

1. Understanding diagnostic processes for CODs (10 mins)

Section 4: Treatment (30 mins)

1. Trauma-Informed Treatment of CODs (10 mins)
2. Behavioral Health Approaches (10 mins)
3. Medication (10 mins)

Section 5: Family Involvement (10 mins)

1. Role of family in supporting treatment and recovery (10 mins)

Section 6: Relapse Prevention (10 mins)

1. Strategies for maintaining long-term recovery (10 mins)

Section 7: Barriers to Treatment (15 mins)

1. Identifying Barriers to Care (7 mins)
2. Removing Barriers to Care (8 mins)

Conclusion (5 mins)

1. Recap of key points (3 mins)
2. Encouragement to apply knowledge in practice (2 mins)

Additional Resources:

1. References (Not timed)
2. Appendices (Not timed)

Social Work Approval

Social Work CE Credit for this course is offered with the following approvals. Many state boards of social work will accept the approvals listed. Provider Approvals by state and license type can be found here.

• Quantum Units Education is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, CAMFT Provider #89970, to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEP. Quantum Units Education maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content.
• Florida board for Social Workers CE Provider #50-8650 (Quantum 'immediately' reports CE Credits to Florida licensees) 
• Illinois Department of Professional Regulation, License No. 159.001261 approved CE Sponsor
• Ohio CSWMFTB #RCST091701 approved CE Provider
• Texas Board of SWE #5070 approved CE Provider
• Quantum Units Education, #1289, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 01/03/2023 - 01/03/2026. Social workers completing this course receive 2.00 'General' continuing education credits.

To see other approvals in your state, see our state by state provider approval listings here.

Course Development: Each course is identified and reviewed by the appropriate Quantum Units Education consultant with professional and licensed expertise in the various disciplines we serve. Our professional consultants oversee course development to satisfy the needs of various professionals based on their board requirements, rate course degrees of difficulty and ensure the course content and exam questions are appropriate, relevant and comprehensive. See our professional staff and their bios here.

*Questions regarding how to take a course, refunds, grievance policy and ADA policy can be found here.
*Questions regarding this course or need support? Contact us at support@quantumunitsed.com.

Added On: 08/11/2025