Psychiatric Comorbidities: Diagnosis and Treatment of Comorbid Psychiatric Disorders and Opioid Use Disorders - Revised

Presenters:  Frances R. Levin, MD, Kennedy-Leavy Professor of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center/New York State Psychiatric Institute and Elizabeth A. Evans, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center 

Fee:  No Cost

Target Audience: The target audience for this module is primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, and healthcare teams who treat patients with opioid use disorder (OUD).

Credit Designations Available: Interprofessional Continuing Education credit, AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™, and Nursing Contact Hours.

Module Description:

Substance use disorders and psychiatric illnesses frequently co-occur and it is often difficult to differentiate independent from secondary disorders in patients. This results in more challenging treatment planning for patients with comorbid disorders, and poorer prognosis. Treatment outcomes in these patients are often worse, including higher relapse rates, shorter time to relapse of substance use, and more hospitalizations. 

This module provides clinicians with tools to screen and diagnosis patients with psychiatric illnesses and discusses how to treat common psychiatric comorbidities in patients with co-occurring substance use disorders. Covered topics include: the epidemiology of co-occurring psychiatric illness and substance use disorders, comorbidity theories, and clinical relevance, including diagnostic and treatment implications. The module utilizes three case vignettes to highlight specific diagnostic and treatment challenges, and provides up-to-date treatment recommendations.

Core Competencies as a result of participating in this activity:

Interpersonal Skills and Communication
Medical Knowledge
Patient Care

Educational Objectives: 

At the conclusion of this activity participants should be able to:
• Recognize that psychiatric illnesses and substance use disorders commonly co-occur
• Describe how to screen for and identify comorbid psychiatric diagnoses
• Identify the distinction between independent psychiatric illness and substance- induced disorders
• Demonstrate comfort in developing treatment plans when comorbidities are identified

Method of participating in the learning process:  

In order to receive maximum credit, learners must: 

1. Review the materials provided in this module.
2. Earn a minimum cumulative score of 80% on the post-test. 
3. Complete an evaluation to assess satisfaction and plans for individual and/or team practice change.
4. Follow instructions at the end of the course regarding how to retrieve a certificate.* 

*Credit will not be awarded unless all components of the program are completed.  Partial credit will not be awarded.

Accreditation and Certification of this activity:  

Joint Accreditation Statement

In support of improving patient care, American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

In 2019, AAAP also added accreditation from The American Academy of PAs (AAPA), American Psychological Association (APA) and Association for Social Work Boards (ASWB).

Release date: July 17, 2019            Date of Expiration: July 17, 2022

Physician Designation Statement

American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.  

Nursing Designation Statement

American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry is an approved provider of nursing continuing education through AAAP’s Joint Accreditation provider #4008192. This program is approved for up to 1.5 Nursing Contact Hours.

Joint Accreditation Designation Statement

This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive 1.5 Interprofessional Continuing Education credits for learning and change.

Disclosures:

AAAP's interprofessional continuing education program aims to provide educational information that is balanced, independent, objective and free of bias and based on evidence. During the planning process, anyone that is involved in the content is required to disclose to AAAP and our learners any real or potential conflict of interest related to the educational activity. The following individuals have no relevant financial relationships with an ACCME defined commercial interest to disclose: Thomas Penders, MD, Michael Goedde, MD, Nitigna Desai, MD, Karen Oliver, PhD, John Renner, Jr, MD, Kevin Sevarino, MD, PhD, Colleen LaBelle, MSN, RN-BC, CARN, Kathryn Cates-Wessel, Miriam Giles, Carol Johnson, Jennifer Lundstrom, and Justina Pereira.  PCSS Clinical Expert Committee members and content reviewers Adam Bisaga, MD and Laura Leahy, DrNP, APRN, FAANP, have nothing relevant to the content of this module to disclose. Content Developers Frances R. Levin, MD, and Elizabeth A. Evans, MD, have nothing to disclose.  

Faculty have been advised that any recommendations involving clinical medicine must be based on evidence that is accepted within the profession of medicine as adequate justification for their indications and contraindications in the care of patients. All scientific research referred to, reported, or used in the presentation must conform to the generally accepted standards of experimental design, data collection, and analysis. Learners are advised that this activity may contain references to unlabeled uses of US FDA-approved products or to products not approved by the FDA for use in the United States. In these instances, participants will be made aware of such usage and discussions regarding either non–FDA-approved or investigational use of products/devices.

ADA Accommodation Statement 

AAAP encourage persons with disabilities to participate in our programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about this activity, please email pcss@aaap.org.

Privacy and Confidentiality Policy 

AAAP values your privacy and confidentiality of the information you choose to share with us. Personal information collected from evaluations will not be shared with third parties. 

Disclaimer: The views, opinions, and content expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of AAAP, CSAT, SAMHSA, or HHS. No official support of or endorsement by AAAP, CSAT, SAMHSA, or HHS for these opinions or for particular instruments, software, or resources is intended or should be inferred.

Support for the Program: 

Funding for this initiative was made possible (in part) by grant no. 5U79TI026556 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.