2026-2027 | On-Demand Session | Co-Occurring Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders | October 2026-Co-Occurring Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders Recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The session examined co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders, which are common across clinical settings. Speakers emphasized that clinicians should routinely screen for mental health conditions and distinguish symptoms from formal diagnoses. Substance use disorders and mental illness frequently overlap, and bipolar disorder is particularly associated with substance use and poorer treatment outcomes.<br /><br />Diagnosis requires a careful chronological history: when symptoms began, how they relate to intoxication or withdrawal, whether they persist during abstinence, and how they respond to treatment. Clinicians should consider substance-induced symptoms, independent disorders, shared risk factors, and early-recovery distress. Severity and functional impact help guide whether to treat immediately or monitor over time.<br /><br />Treatment should address both disorders, ideally through coordinated, integrated care. Medication choices should account for prior response, safety, side effects, adherence, and patient circumstances. Psychosocial treatment, consistent follow-up, and support for managing negative emotions are also important. Benzodiazepines may be appropriate for withdrawal management but generally are not recommended for long-term anxiety treatment.<br /><br />A case discussion followed a young woman with opioid, stimulant, and cannabis use disorders alongside depression, anxiety, trauma-related symptoms, and eventually bipolar I disorder. Her course illustrated how mood symptoms and substance use can worsen one another, while medication interruptions, side effects, and missed appointments complicate care. The presenters highlighted the value of sustained therapeutic relationships, harm-reduction approaches, and continued engagement—even when patients relapse or remain ambivalent about treatment.

Keywords

co-occurring disorders

substance use disorder

psychiatric screening

bipolar disorder

mental illness

substance-induced symptoms

chronological history

abstinence assessment

integrated care

medication management

psychosocial treatment

benzodiazepines

harm reduction

treatment adherence