Course Overview
The Core Concepts of Concurrent Disorders course is a 6-week, self-directed online course. It presents an introduction to the topic of concurrent disorders, specifically co-occurring mental health and substance-related and addictive disorders. There are no formal prerequisites to register for this course.
This introductory course focuses on the relationship between concurrent mental health and addiction problems and the impact that stigma and attitudes, beliefs and values can have on individuals with concurrent disorders. It also explores different models of care for CD, as well as principles of integrated, recovery-oriented approaches to care.
The Core Concepts of Concurrent Disorders course is the fundamental and required course toward the Concurrent Disorders Certificate program.
There are six modules:
- Module 1: Introduction to CD
- Module 2: Living with concurrent disorders: Stigma and the lived experience.
- Module 3: Care pathways for people with concurrent disorders.
- Module 4: Psychoactive drugs and medications: The biological dimension.
- Module 5: Screening and assessment for concurrent disorders
- Module 6: Recovery: The continuing journey of healing and well-being.
Learning Objectives
After successfully completing this course, learners will be able:
- Identify the relationship between concurrent mental health and addiction problems
- Describe the prevalence of concurrent disorders in general and within different populations
- Identify and explain the impact that stigma and attitudes, beliefs and values can have on individuals with concurrent disorders
- Summarize five strategies for combating stigma
- Explain different models of care, including BPS+ model and quadrant model
- Explain the principles of integrated care
- Explain the no-wrong-door approach
- Define substance use disorders and behavioural addictions (i.e. gambling disorder)
- List the five categories of psychoactive drugs and identify common examples
- Summarize the common uses of psychiatric medications
- Identify common drug interactions with psychiatric medications
- Explain the importance of screening clients for addiction and mental health problems.
- Outline some of the current best practices in screening for concurrent disorders.
- Differentiate screening from comprehensive assessment.
- Describe the principles of concurrent disorders assessment.
- Describe key principles in recovery from a person-centred perspective
Delivery Method
This is an asynchronous online course which provides a mix of learning experiences and instructional activities, such as case scenarios, true-or-false, short answer and self-reflection questions throughout to connect course material to your work environment.
Participants require regular access to a personal computer or mobile device with a strong internet connection. Learners will need to dedicate 3-4 hours per week on this course.
Please note: This course requires you to use an internet browser, but the system does not support Microsoft Internet Explorer. Instead, use one of the following:
- Apple Safari
- Google Chrome
- Microsoft Edge
- Mozilla Firefox
For more details, please read the browser and compatibility support page.
