Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

This course focuses on the concurrent diagnoses associated with treating substance use disorders. The primary goals of our work will be to acquire the knowledge and demonstrate the proficiencies needed in treating multiple diagnoses by enlisting and administering a number of associated measures and assessments.   

Students will gain knowledge and an understanding of the behaviors associated with early abstinence. Students will acquire competency in assessing the potential for homicide, suicide, self-harm, and intimate partner violence. Students will articulate how the intersections of medical and mental health disorders impacts the treatment of individuals with substance use challenges.

Required text:
Co-Occurring Disorders, Charles Atkins, MD 2nd edition 2021

The course will:

• Describe the intersections of medical, mental health and substance use in assessment and treatment planning.
• Build upon the student’s knowledge base of and clinical skills essential in treating individuals with co-occurring disorders.
• Emphasize the necessity of maintaining confidentiality, healthy boundaries, and ethical practices in the counseling relationships.

Course Development, Activities and Design:

• Reading/Lecture/Discussion
• Written Assignments
• In-class assessment/interviewing skills building exercises.

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