101606: Diagnosing Co-Morbid Drug Use in Patients With Alcohol Use Disorders

About the Course:

Alcohol and other drug (AOD) use disorders (i.e., AOD abuse and dependence) commonly co-occur. This co-morbidity has important social, psychiatric, and medical consequences. Although making an accurate diagnosis can be challenging, especially in the context of multiple disorders, clinicians can adopt practices to improve their diagnostic accuracy.

Journal/Publisher:

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

Publication Date:

Alcohol Research and Health, Volume 21, Number 2, 2008

Authors

Bachaar Arnaout, M.D.; Ismene L. Petrakis, M.D.

About the Authors:

Bachaar Arnaout, M.D., is a fellow in addiction psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine/VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut.

Ismene L. Petrakis, M.D., is associate professor of psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine/VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut.

Recommended For:

This course is recommended for health care professionals, especially addiction counselors, psychologists, mental health counselors, social workers, and nurses who seek knowledge about diagnosing co-morbid drug use in patients with alcohol use disorders. It is appropriate for all levels of participants’ knowledge.

Course Objectives:

1. Discuss the prevalence of co-morbid substance use in patients with alcohol use disorders and the consequences of co-morbidity.

2. Identify general guidelines for diagnosing a substance use disorder and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) criteria.

3. Explain the barriers to accurate diagnosis of substance use disorders.