Given the high co-occurrence between alcohol use disorder (AUD) and mental health conditions (MHCs), and the increased morbidity associated with the presence of co-occurring disorders, it is important that co-occurring disorders be identified and both disorders addressed in integrated treatment. Tremendous heterogeneity exists among individuals with co-occurring conditions, and factors related to both AUD and MHCs, including symptom type and acuity, illness severity, the chronicity of symptoms, and recovery capital, should be considered when recommending treatment interventions. This article reviews the prevalence of co-occurring AUD and MHCs, screening tools to identify individuals with symptoms of AUD and MHCs, and subsequent assessment of co-occurring disorders. Types of integrated treatment and current challenges to integrate treatment for co-occurring disorders effectively are reviewed. Innovative uses of technology to improve education on co-occurring disorders and treatment delivery are also discussed. Systemic challenges exist to providing integrated treatment in all treatment settings, and continued research is needed to determine ways to improve access to treatment.

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Integrating Treatment for Co-Occurring Mental Health Conditions

This study explored mental health practitioner training needs in gender-sensitive substance use disorder (SUD) counselling genderqueer populations. Informants were health professionals in SUD pract...

Gender-sensitive training for substance use disorder treatment: Results and implications of a pilot health professionals needs assessment

The efficiency of interventions in addiction is associated with the processes of practitioners’ professional development. Identity formation is studied extensively for clinical professions but litt...

From social workers to socio-therapists: the transformative journey of substance abuse therapists

A secondary analysis was conducted on 276 certified addiction professionals. The results indicate that White male addiction professionals and female addiction professionals of Color use different counseling techniques and work with clients diagnosed with different conditions in addiction treatment. Addiction professionals with a doctorate degree had less exposure counseling clients with alcohol and drug disorders compared to professionals with a bachelor degree. Addiction professionals with 20 years of employment experience and those professionals with 20 years of certification were also less likely to work directly with clients diagnosed with alcohol and drug disorders compared to professionals with five to 10 years of employment experience and certification. Gender, race, education, employment, and certification are key components associated with the career lifespan of addiction professionals. Implications about gender, racial, and professional identity for further study and professional develop...

The Influence of Gender, Race, and Education on Professional Responsibility of Addiction Professionals: Implications for Multicultural Practice

Come as You Are: The Acceptability of Harm Reduction Approaches for Opioid Use Disorder among Professional Counselors

A total of 276 certified addiction professionals participated in an electronic survey about professional roles and responsibilities. A multivariate ANOVA was conducted to measure differences in professional responsibility, exposure to and comfort levels for counseling diverse consumers, and counseling approaches for alcohol and drug professionals with a certification, licensed, certification and licensure, and licensure and certification identity. Alcohol and drug professionals with a certification identity facilitated group counseling and used reinforcement techniques more often compared to professionals with a licensure and certification. Alcohol and drug counselors were less comfortable counseling consumers with mental health issues compared to alcohol and drug counselors with advanced training and other addiction professionals. The professional identity development of alcohol and drug counselors differs from professionals who are licensed/certified and other addiction professionals. Implicatio...

The Value of Certification in the Era of Licensure: An Exploratory Study of Professional Identity Development in Alcohol and Drug Professionals

A survey was conducted on the perceived value of certification with 157 certified addiction professionals in the State of Pennsylvania. An overwhelming number of professionals appraised certification as necessary for work in the substance abuse treatment field. The results from a discriminant analysis separated addiction professionals who did and did not advocate for hiring a certified professional. Certified addiction professionals’ level of advocacy was closely related to their perceptions of certification. The results further indicate that certified addiction professionals have different motivations for certification and recertification. Sex and years of experience were related to motivation for recertification. Implications for certification boards are discussed.

Paul Toth

Papers

The Value of Certification in the Era of Licensure: An Exploratory Study of Professional Identity Development in Alcohol and Drug Professionals

A Pilot Study of Addiction Professionals’ Views of Certification

The Influence of Gender, Race, and Education on Professional Responsibility of Addiction Professionals: Implications for Multicultural Practice