Individuals with an opioid use disorder (OUD) frequently suffer from serious mental illness (SMI). Over half of patients with bipolar affective disorder and schizophrenia have a co-occurring SUD. Co-occurring disorders, however, can be difficult to manage in a fragmented treatment system. Care outcomes respond best to comprehensive treatment with culturally competent practices. Understanding why providers often underutilize medication assisted treatment (MAT) is important to overcoming provider bias, as well as the discriminatory bias and perceptions around substance use disorders mental illness. This webinar will discuss the evidence base for treating OUD and co-occurring disorders simultaneously, the benefits and advantages of utilizing MAT for individuals with SMI, and empower mental health providers to utilize and translate evidenced-based behavioral health skills to diagnose and manage SMI among patients with OUD.
