Integrating a Concurrent Disorders Approach into Withdrawal Management Online Course

Course Sessions Begin: October 1, 2007

This eight-week course is a revised version of the online course Core Knowledge and Skills for Withdrawal Management. It provides the basic knowledge and skills needed to anticipate and respond effectively to clients with substance use problems who may also experience mental illness. The course is intended for a broad spectrum of withdrawal management workers, including nurses, social workers, front-line staff and volunteers. In addition to incorporating key concepts of concurrent disorders into the course, we have added practical information on helping clients to quit smoking.

At the end of this course, you will be able to:

• identify the roles and responsibilities of withdrawal management workers
• describe assessment tools for evaluating clients’ physical, mental health and substance use recovery needs; assess for substance use, physical and mental health problems; admit or refer clients for immediate medical, psychiatric or other therapeutic help; and monitor clients’ progress
• recognize withdrawal symptoms and identify pharmacological interventions
• identify effective management techniques for the safety and well-being of clients
• implement simple motivational strategies
• describe treatment planning and community supports available for clients with substance use and mental health problems.
• describe ethical and legal issues that may arise in the withdrawal management setting

Faculty

• Barbara Deschamps, RN, Manager, Community Withdrawal Management Service on Manitoulin Island, Chair of the WMAO Standards Committee, Member of Addictions Ontario Advocacy Task Force
• Wendy Fenomeno, RN, Manager, Withdrawal Management Services, CAMH
• Jennifer Foster, Legal Cousel, CAMH
• Pearl Isaac, R.Ph., B.Sc., Phm., Pharmacy Services, CAMH
• Tammy Purdy, Addiction Therapist, CAMH
• Christine Werbski, Addiction Therapist, Addiction Medicine, CAMH

Register online

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