Studies are showing an alarming trend. Incidents of mental illness related to drug use are on the rise. It's unclear what came first. Did a predisposition to mental illness lead to drug use, or is it the other way around? No matter what, co-occurring disorders are a problem. Especially in the wake of this year's hurricanes and other disasters, mental health and substance abuse professionals need to be poised to provide additional care for those suffering serious mental trauma and who may turn to alcohol and drugs as a result. During this hour-long broadcast, participants in Whitley, Harlan and Monroe Counties got to hear from treatment providers about the delicate balance between treating a person's addiction and his or her mental illness. We'll also learn about the stigma attached to mental illness and how coalitions can help fight it. Learning objectives: Define co-occurring disorders Learn about the difficulty treating co-occurring disorders Discover solutions to the problems both communities and patients face See how community-based organizations can help improve the local climate to assist those in recovery from substance use disorders and mental health problems.
