COSIG CONFERENCE BROCHURE.pdf - Drexel University College ...

COSIG Co-Occurring Disorders Conference, Hershey PA, May 15-17, 2006
An Overview of Adolescents
&
Co-Occurring Disorders
Presented By:
Gregg Benson, MA, LCADC
Consultation Associates
20 Community Pl. 4 th Fl.
Morristown, New Jersey 07960
(973) 539-1980
Fax: (973) 539-3687
E-mail: gregg_benson@verizon.net
COURSE OBJECTIVES
• To understand the uniqueness of adolescence as a
developmental process and differentiate it from and
adults
• To differentiate “normal” adolescence from
“pathological” adolescence
• Examine risk factors, etiologies and other possible
relationships between SUD and other co-occurring
psychiatric and associated disorders.
Objectives, cont.
• Explore and discuss the role, function and efficacy of
DSM IV and Diagnosis
• Discuss and demystify the role of medication(s) in the
treatment tool box
• Identify both current evidence-based treatments for
SUD/MDs and promising alternative therapeutic
strategies.
• Identify and discuss challenges to providing integrated
care
• To Facilitate Paradigm Shifting
Why Focus On Co-Occurring Disorders?
• Substance Use Disorders are the most common and
clinically significant comorbid disorders among adults with
mental illness.
• Psychiatric and Other Associated Disorders are most
common in persons with Substance Use Disorder(s)
• Co-occurring disorders are associated with a variety of
negative outcomes.
• Outcomes improve when the SUD is well managed
• Outcomes improve when mental health disorders are well
managed
• Parallel but separate MH and SUD treatment systems
deliver fragmented and ineffective care – especially with
adolescents.
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