128 - CANCELLED - When Interpersonal Violence, Substance Use, and Trauma Collide in Treatment

Session Description: According to SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration), 1 in 4 Americans has a mental health or substance use disorder. 1 in 10 has an alcohol use disorder. 1 in 3 women have experienced interpersonal violence in their lifetime; 1 in 9 men have experienced interpersonal violence in their lifetime. One of the most commonly noted barriers to accessing behavioral healthcare is stigma – the negative professional, societal, familial, and individual beliefs about mental health and substance use disorders; there is significant stigma around mental health and substance use disorders. As treatment providers, we have to treat the client holistically - looking at all the systemic and generational factors that influence a client's current trajectory. Too often in treatment, we don't "see" the person - we don't "see" the victim. This workshop will challenge providers to listen for the story behind the story, for the pain associated with leaving as well as the pain associated with staying. Stigmas will be challenged. Tools will be provided for assessing these specific co-occurring disorders as well as treating and supporting individuals caught in the cycle of interpersonal violence and substance use. This workshop will help attendees to explore the depths of interpersonal violence and trauma, and its impact on the biopsychosocial-spiritual-emotional health of the client and their families. Substance use disorders as a coping mechanism for emotional relational pain will be explored. Attendees will explore evidence-based treatment options and interventions that have been shown to help the victim sort through their experiences. Case studies will be used to explore various victim outcomes. This work is not easy and it is often rewarding; attendees will be challenged to look at self-care at work to avoid vicarious traumatization.