Substance Use Disorder 2.0

Summary 

With the pandemic-level outbreak of overdose deaths in the United States (107,000 Americans died of drug overdose in 2022), the subject of addiction has risen to national prominence in news and research. Treatment for individuals struggling with substance use disorder (SUD) has been a topic of great interest and concern, while the perspective of affected family members has often been neglected. This course will unveil the impact of substance use disorder upon the family and cover therapy approaches to treat substance use disorders within the family system.

Learning Objectives 

1. Review the short and long-term impact of SUD-affected families
2. Examine best practices for treatment for licensed mental health professionals of SUD from a family systems perspective
3. Recognize features of codependent behavior and separate dysfunctional enabling from healthy family interventions

Course Presenter 

John Eklund, M.S.W.

Course Lessons   

SUDF 101: Substance Use Disorder: Family Interaction and Impact 
John Eklund, M.S.W. 
Families have borne the brunt of the chaos and pain produced by the current addiction pandemic.  This lesson will review how SUD interacts within the family system to disrupt attachment, shape family roles, and lower family socioeconomic status while drastically increasing risks to the education, health, and safety of children within a SUD-affected home. This lesson will also demonstrate the long-term impact of SUD on adult children of SUD and discuss the importance of screening for family addiction history in mental health assessments. 
Run time: 1:01:09

SUDF 102: Substance Use Disorder: Family Treatment Strategies 
John Eklund, M.S.W. 
Understanding and treating families in the grip of SUD intimidates many clinicians. This lesson will review the roots of systemic approaches to therapy, explore family systems approaches and various family counseling theories and techniques. It will also dive into some of the basic tenets of attachment theory and its application to family treatment strategies.  
Run time: 1:01:49

SUDF 103: Confronting Patterns of Codependency and Enabling in SUD-Affected Families 
John Eklund, M.S.W. 
The contribution codependent behavior has upon families impacted by Substance Use Disorder is often difficult to recognize.  Clinicians who are informed on the features of codependent behavior are better able to confront patterns of manipulation, control, and enabling that perpetuate dysfunction within SUD-affected families. This lesson will explore the causes and functions of codependent behavior and explore interventions for confronting codependent patterns. 
Run time: 1:04:26

Continuing Education   
3.0 CE Credits available for LPC, LMFT, and LCSW.  
3.0 CE Credits available for IBCC Credential Holders.

The American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) offers some psychologists, therapists, counselors, social workers and play therapists Continuing Education (CE) credit due for good standing with certain states and a limited number of professional organizations. It remains the responsibility of each participant to be aware of state licensure and CE requirements.  

Participants should check their state and/or local regulations regarding required continuing education hours. For more information Light University Continuing Education programs, please visit: https://lightuniversity.com/continuing-education-statements/