If you’re a mental health professional, chances are you’ve had patients who also struggle with a substance use disorder (SUD). And even if you haven’t treated a patient yet who is navigating substance use, it’s increasingly likely you will.
More than one in four adults living with serious mental health problems also has a substance use problem. National Institute of Mental Health studies have found that people with anxiety, depression or PTSD may use substances like drugs or alcohol to self-medicate. Given these statistics, now is a great time to build your knowledge base about the relationship between mental illnesses and substance use disorders.
The Relationship Between Mental Health and Substance Use
Though people may be managing substance use and a mental disorder, that does not mean that one caused the other. Research suggests three possibilities that could explain why SUD and other mental disorders may occur together, according to NIMH:
- Common risk factors, like genetics, environment, stress or trauma can contribute to both SUD and other mental disorders. Both SUD and other mental disorders can run in families, and stress or trauma can trigger genetic changes that can be passed down through generations, contributing to the possibility of a mental disorder or a substance use disorder.
- Mental disorders can contribute to substance use and SUDs. Studies show that people with mental disorders often self-medicate with drugs or alcohol. Brain changes in people suffering from those disorders also may enhance the rewarding effects of using these substances for relief.
- Substance use can contribute to the development of other mental disorders. Substance use may trigger changes in brain structure and function that make a person more likely to develop a mental disorder.
Why More SUD Counselors are Needed
While the number of individuals managing substance use disorders is increasing, many do not seek help or do not have access to treatment resources. Part of this is due to a shortage of qualified counselors. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects demand for substance abuse counselors will grow 18 percent in the next 10 years—much faster than the average for all occupations. Professionals licensed in mental health and substance abuse counseling are especially in high demand because they can help reduce treatment silos for individuals with dual diagnoses.
Get the Education You Need to Better Help Your Patients With UW Flexible Option
If you’re looking for ways to better serve the needs of your patients, UW Flexible Option can help. The SUD Certificate, a 100% online program, will help you expand the scope of your practice, on your own schedule.
With SUD, you’ll learn about trauma-informed care, in which you consider events in your client’s life that may have led them to substance use without re-traumatizing them. This approach focuses on meeting people where they are instead of telling them what they must do to recover.
As part of your coursework, you’ll complete practical assignments like writing a treatment plan. You can also engage with fellow students through reflection papers, offering comments and discussing topics further.
While successful completion of the program fulfills the 100-hour educational requirement for the Substance Abuse Counselor in Training (SAC-IT), set forth by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS), as well as the 360-hour specialized educational requirement for Substance Abuse Counselor (SAC) or Clinical Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) Certification, you are not required to seek licensure. You can simply complete the program to build your knowledge base and help more patients.
Interested in learning more? Contact a helpful enrollment adviser by calling 608-800-6762 or emailing flex@uwex.wisconsin.edu.