BHS-006 — Co-Occurring Disorders: Assessment, Treatment & Support

COURSE DESCRIPTION — BHS-006: Co-Occurring Disorders: Assessment, Treatment & Support
Credit Hours: 2.0 contact hours

The most common reality in behavioral health: people with mental health conditions frequently also have substance use disorders, and vice versa. This bidirectional relationship creates complex interactions that require integrated approaches to care. This course equips home care workers with a comprehensive understanding of co-occurring disorders — what they are, how to recognize them, and how to provide effective, coordinated support.

This course covers:
– Definition, prevalence, and significance of co-occurring disorders in home care
– The bidirectional relationship: self-medication, substance-induced disorders, and shared vulnerability
– Recognizing signs of co-occurring disorders in home care clients
– Integrated vs. sequential treatment: why treating both conditions together produces better outcomes
– The home care worker’s role: consistency, observation, communication
– Barriers to care: system fragmentation, double stigma, housing instability

Audience: HHAs, CNAs, PCAs, DSPs, and all direct care staff.
Credit Hours: 2.0 contact hours
References: SAMHSA (2020). Co-Occurring Disorders | Drake & Mueser (2000). Psychosocial Approaches to Dual Diagnosis | MN DHS Behavioral Health Division | NAMI Dual Diagnosis Resources