Co-Occurring Clients

After you have completed the reading, and without reviewing your classmates’ responses, post your initial response to the following Discussion. Your post should be at least 400-450 words in length and should extend the discussion of the group supported by your course materials and/or other appropriate resources.

After you have submitted your initial post, review some of your classmates’ posts and respond to at least two of your classmates. Refer to your Discussion Board Rubric in Course Resources for specific grading explanation.

Co-Occurring Clients

As you reviewed in the assigned reading, clients diagnosed with anxiety disorders, mood disorders, or schizophrenia are most at risk for developing dependence on an illicit substance. It could be that use of an illicit substance created the mental health disorder. In this thread, you will discuss some of the issues that those who are diagnosed with co-occurring disorders might experience. If the goal of addictions treatment is to create a drug-free client, how would a client manage his/her mental health disorder without the use medication?

Go to https://store.samhsa.gov/system/files/sma13-4781eng.pdf to read “No Longer Alone” and then use the Library to find one article about the problems of diagnosing and treating clients who have a mental health and substance use problem that is similar to one mentioned in the “No Longer Alone” article. For example, research the connection between alcohol use and post-traumatic disorder.

1. Explain the problems that Isabel, Maria, and Rosa experienced resulting from their mental health and substance use disorders. Why is their recovery more complicated than those of clients who are not dually diagnosed?
2. Choose one of the women from the reading and further research the connection between her mental health and substance use diagnosis. Explain how the drug use exacerbates the mental health condition.
3. What are some strategies for treating co-occurring clients who cannot stop using mental health prescription drugs during treatment?