This face-to-face training program was developed to accompany the Guidelines on the management of co-occurring alcohol and other drug and mental health conditions in alcohol and other drug treatment settings (3rd edition) and online training program, for online (e.g., Zoom, Teams) and offline (e.g., in person) delivery.
Together, these resources aim to provide alcohol and other drug (AOD) workers with up-to-date, evidence-based information on the management of co-occurring mental health conditions in AOD treatment settings. They are based on the best available evidence and were developed in collaboration with clinicians, researchers, consumers and carers from across Australia.
The intended outcomes from the face-to-face training are:
- Increased knowledge and awareness of how to identify, manage and treat co-occurring mental health conditions in AOD treatment settings
- Improved confidence and skills of AOD workers
- Increased utilisation of evidence-based care.
More detailed session objectives can be downloaded here.
Who is the face-to-face training program suitable for?
The face-to-face training program was designed to meet the needs of workers in the AOD sector in managing co-occurring AOD and mental health conditions. The training is suitable for workers from a range of practice backgrounds, and with varying levels of experience.
Program modules
The training program is designed to be flexible and comprises seven half-day modules. The first two modules, ‘Understanding co-occurring conditions’ and ‘Screening and assessment’ are recommended modules that should be offered to all AOD workers and delivered before Modules 3 to 7.
Modules 3 to 7 are optional modules and can be chosen based on relevance to the workplace, workforce and the organisation’s client profile. Module 3 addresses treatment approaches. Modules 4 to 7 address the most prevalent mental health disorders in AOD treatment settings.
The complete program can be delivered in three and a half days, or module by module over a period of weeks or months as required.
- Module 1: Understanding co-occurring conditions (recommended core module)
- Module 2: Screening and assessment (recommended core module)
- Module 3: Applying motivational enhancement, cognitive, and behavioural approaches to co-occurring disorders
- Module 4: Anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder
- Module 5: Personality disorders
- Module 6: Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Module 7: Psychosis, eating disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Skills required by the training program facilitator
Training facilitators are required to have successfully completed a Guidelines train-the-trainer workshop; have completed tertiary training in a relevant field; have a comprehensive knowledge of co-occurring conditions; be skilled in AOD and mental health interventions; possess sound training skills; and have the capacity to deliver workplace training.