The Co-Occurring Matrix: Substance Use and Mental Health Disorders with Dr. Charles Atkins [Hamden, CT]

Over 8 million Americans currently meet criteria for having at least one co-occurring substance use and mental disorder. People with co-occurring disorders run the gamut from a top executive with obsessive-compulsive disorder who drinks a fifth of hard liquor a day to a homeless person who smokes cannabis heavily and has been in and out of psychiatric hospitals with schizoaffective disorder. What is clear is that of all people who seek treatment for substance use or a mental disorder, 50% or more have at least one co-occurring problem. Sadly, this often goes unrecognized and unaddressed.  This training focuses on the complex matrix of co-occurring disorders, and how to think through both the assessment process and the crafting of effective, person-centered, and integrated treatment. At the end of this workshop attendees will have three main takeaways: they will understand the complex matrix of diagnostic configurations that occur with co-occurring disorders; they will learn the importance of a thorough and ongoing assessment to identify and clarify co-occurring problems; and they will see the importance of generating differentials that include medication and substance-induced psychiatric disorders and syndromes. Attendees will be given the opportunity, using case studies, to formulate treatment goals and objectives, and to craft treatment strategies using concepts of integrated treatment. Attendees will be encouraged to incorporate established metrics into their assessment process, and will be provided with specific resources to use upon completion of the training. About the Presenter Charles Atkins, MD, is the Chief Medical Officer at Community Mental Health Affiliates in New Britain, CT working with people with serious chemical dependence and co-occurring disorders. He is a national presenter and trainer, published fiction and non-fiction author, and member of the Yale adjunct clinical faculty. Now being offered as a 2 day training!       The CT Women's Consortium 2321 Whitney Ave. Suite 401 Hamden, CT 06518 Thursday, July 9th and Friday, July 10th 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Fee: $125 - Lunch included.   Earn 12 CEU Credits  NASW, CCB, CME   Register online at http://cwc.industrytrain.com IMPORTANT: If you are registering with an agency purchase order/check request form, please fax a completed registration form and approved documentation to 203-909-6894.