web02.fireside.fm Sun, 05 Apr 2026 10:31:50 -0500 Fireside (https://fireside.fm) https://dcontario.fireside.fm/tags/concurrent%20disorders Thu, 16 May 2019 12:00:00 -0400 Here at DCO Discourse we have discussions related to mental health, addictions, and life. We aim to provide listeners with tools and resources that will help them improve their own mental health and wellness, and support their family members, loved ones, and their community at large. If you would like to provide feedback or request future topics, please use the following link: https://forms.gle/MhSNiyMm2c2xsiv8A. If you are seeking support, we encourage you to visit our website at www.dcontario.org/locations to locate your nearest member centre. af episodic Moving Forward Through Partnerships Distress and Crisis Ontario Here at DCO Discourse we have discussions related to mental health, addictions, and life. We aim to provide listeners with tools and resources that will help them improve their own mental health and wellness, and support their family members, loved ones, and their community at large. If you would like to provide feedback or request future topics, please use the following link: https://forms.gle/MhSNiyMm2c2xsiv8A. If you are seeking support, we encourage you to visit our website at www.dcontario.org/locations to locate your nearest member centre. no mental health, addictions, Ontario, resources, learning, wellness, self-help, well-being Distress and Crisis Ontario ngear@dcontario.org https://dcontario.fireside.fm/22 bc07a680-ca65-4fae-9676-eaa8aba15183 Thu, 16 May 2019 12:00:00 -0400 Distress and Crisis Ontario full 1 Distress and Crisis Ontario Substance Abuse in Canada: Concurrent Disorders Report (CCSA, 2010) states that concurrent disorders are a significant health issue in Canada—more than half of those seeking help for an addiction also have a mental illness. These individuals can represent 26:24 no In Canada, our system of care for concurrent disorders is fragmented and compartmentalized—with varying treatment approaches and programs developed on a model that treats either the addiction or mental health issue exclusively as the primary focus—creating a system that is not well equipped to treat both disorders concurrently and results in poor client outcomes and system inefficiency. When fielding questions from a caller who is living with concurrent disorders (CD), call responders don't have to be an expert, but being CD-informed assists you and the caller to establish a baseline of understanding and opens lines of communication. It would not be unusual for a caller to use statements like, “What (mental health) providers do is they'll look at me and say…’forget about the mental health issue, you've got a real substance abuse problem, and you've got to go get help for that’, and either they ignore the using or the fact that I have an addiction, or else they won’t even deal with the mental health aspect of it because I've been using." Having a positive and caring attitude can serve to successfully engage callers and assist them to continue to seek support and work toward recovery. In the video, Concurrent Disorders (Part 2), Andrea Tsanos, Advanced Practice Clinician for the Toronto Centre for Addiction and Mental Health continues (See Part 1) to inform the viewer about the challenges of obtaining effective treatment. Crisis and Distress Line professionals will benefit from the strategies for being supportive and resourceful. Questions for Further Consideration: What is your comfort level in opening a conversation about concurrent disorders? Are there aspects of the disorder that may impact on your effectiveness in supporting this type of call? Review the barriers to communication as stated in the video. ‘Don’t forget that it can be hard, shameful, and scary to talk about mental health or addiction issues, or think about changing it – these are often private behaviours’. If you feel that you have personal issues that may present as barriers, it might be a good idea to discuss this with your training coordinator. If you have further questions, further research on the topic (see links below) might answer your queries. Ms. Tsanos indicates that there is more than one type of treatment for concurrent disorders but the integrated approach seems to be the most effective. What types of treatment options does your community offer? You don’t need to be an expert on the topic of concurrent disorders but it might be helpful to become aware of what resources are available in your community. Ms. Tsanos reviews flexible treatment goal choices which include, abstinence, harm-reduction, and perhaps the most challenging for a loved one to support, the “no-change” goal (which seeks to engage the individual in at least looking at their behavior without the demand for change at the outset). How would you offer support to a family member who is frustrated with a loved one who chooses the no-change goal? It might be a challenge for the family member to not want to expedite treatment for their loved one. Call responders may just do as they always do – be compassionate, explore options, and provide an empathetic listening ear. The key messages are for the family member to continue to encourage their loved one to go for an assessment, but failing that option, the family member should be encouraged to obtain support that will assist them with strategies for their own self-care and learning how to set their own limits and boundaries. part 2, concurrent disorders In Canada, our system of care for concurrent disorders is fragmented and compartmentalized—with varying treatment approaches and programs developed on a model that treats either the addiction or mental health issue exclusively as the primary focus—creating a system that is not well equipped to treat both disorders concurrently and results in poor client outcomes and system inefficiency. When fielding questions from a caller who is living with concurrent disorders (CD), call responders don't have to be an expert, but being CD-informed assists you and the caller to establish a baseline of understanding and opens lines of communication. It would not be unusual for a caller to use statements like, “What (mental health) providers do is they'll look at me and say…’forget about the mental health issue, you've got a real substance abuse problem, and you've got to go get help for that’, and either they ignore the using or the fact that I have an addiction, or else they won’t even deal with the mental health aspect of it because I've been using." Having a positive and caring attitude can serve to successfully engage callers and assist them to continue to seek support and work toward recovery. In the video, Concurrent Disorders (Part 2), Andrea Tsanos, Advanced Practice Clinician for the Toronto Centre for Addiction and Mental Health continues (See Part 1) to inform the viewer about the challenges of obtaining effective treatment. Crisis and Distress Line professionals will benefit from the strategies for being supportive and resourceful. Questions for Further Consideration: What is your comfort level in opening a conversation about concurrent disorders? Are there aspects of the disorder that may impact on your effectiveness in supporting this type of call? Review the barriers to communication as stated in the video. ‘Don’t forget that it can be hard, shameful, and scary to talk about mental health or addiction issues, or think about changing it – these are often private behaviours’. If you feel that you have personal issues that may present as barriers, it might be a good idea to discuss this with your training coordinator. If you have further questions, further research on the topic (see links below) might answer your queries. Ms. Tsanos indicates that there is more than one type of treatment for concurrent disorders but the integrated approach seems to be the most effective. What types of treatment options does your community offer? You don’t need to be an expert on the topic of concurrent disorders but it might be helpful to become aware of what resources are available in your community. Ms. Tsanos reviews flexible treatment goal choices which include, abstinence, harm-reduction, and perhaps the most challenging for a loved one to support, the “no-change” goal (which seeks to engage the individual in at least looking at their behavior without the demand for change at the outset). How would you offer support to a family member who is frustrated with a loved one who chooses the no-change goal? It might be a challenge for the family member to not want to expedite treatment for their loved one. Call responders may just do as they always do – be compassionate, explore options, and provide an empathetic listening ear. The key messages are for the family member to continue to encourage their loved one to go for an assessment, but failing that option, the family member should be encouraged to obtain support that will assist them with strategies for their own self-care and learning how to set their own limits and boundaries.

]]> In Canada, our system of care for concurrent disorders is fragmented and compartmentalized—with varying treatment approaches and programs developed on a model that treats either the addiction or mental health issue exclusively as the primary focus—creating a system that is not well equipped to treat both disorders concurrently and results in poor client outcomes and system inefficiency. When fielding questions from a caller who is living with concurrent disorders (CD), call responders don't have to be an expert, but being CD-informed assists you and the caller to establish a baseline of understanding and opens lines of communication. It would not be unusual for a caller to use statements like, “What (mental health) providers do is they'll look at me and say…’forget about the mental health issue, you've got a real substance abuse problem, and you've got to go get help for that’, and either they ignore the using or the fact that I have an addiction, or else they won’t even deal with the mental health aspect of it because I've been using." Having a positive and caring attitude can serve to successfully engage callers and assist them to continue to seek support and work toward recovery. In the video, Concurrent Disorders (Part 2), Andrea Tsanos, Advanced Practice Clinician for the Toronto Centre for Addiction and Mental Health continues (See Part 1) to inform the viewer about the challenges of obtaining effective treatment. Crisis and Distress Line professionals will benefit from the strategies for being supportive and resourceful. Questions for Further Consideration: What is your comfort level in opening a conversation about concurrent disorders? Are there aspects of the disorder that may impact on your effectiveness in supporting this type of call? Review the barriers to communication as stated in the video. ‘Don’t forget that it can be hard, shameful, and scary to talk about mental health or addiction issues, or think about changing it – these are often private behaviours’. If you feel that you have personal issues that may present as barriers, it might be a good idea to discuss this with your training coordinator. If you have further questions, further research on the topic (see links below) might answer your queries. Ms. Tsanos indicates that there is more than one type of treatment for concurrent disorders but the integrated approach seems to be the most effective. What types of treatment options does your community offer? You don’t need to be an expert on the topic of concurrent disorders but it might be helpful to become aware of what resources are available in your community. Ms. Tsanos reviews flexible treatment goal choices which include, abstinence, harm-reduction, and perhaps the most challenging for a loved one to support, the “no-change” goal (which seeks to engage the individual in at least looking at their behavior without the demand for change at the outset). How would you offer support to a family member who is frustrated with a loved one who chooses the no-change goal? It might be a challenge for the family member to not want to expedite treatment for their loved one. Call responders may just do as they always do – be compassionate, explore options, and provide an empathetic listening ear. The key messages are for the family member to continue to encourage their loved one to go for an assessment, but failing that option, the family member should be encouraged to obtain support that will assist them with strategies for their own self-care and learning how to set their own limits and boundaries.

]]> https://dcontario.fireside.fm/21 2d09bd76-b88a-4328-abcc-3dd400cfeb73 Fri, 10 May 2019 12:00:00 -0400 Distress and Crisis Ontario full 1 Distress and Crisis Ontario Health Canada (2002) defines those who have a concurrent disorder as experiencing a combination of mental/emotional/psychiatric problems along with the abuse of alcohol and/or other psychoactive drugs. Studies have shown that up to 50% of people with subs 27:10 no There are many reasons to become aware of the impact of Concurrent Disorders. Many do not understand that substance use can trigger or worsen mental health problems; and in some cases, may mask an undiagnosed mental illness that already exists. Conversely, mental health issues such as depression, anxiety or psychotic symptoms can lead one to use substances, which can progress into a development of concurrent substance use disorder. Seeking assistance for these disorders can be very frustrating. The fact is, it is not unusual for community treatment programs to deal with substance use and mental health disorders separately in a fragmented way, or to deal with one issue but not the other. Although the treatment system is improving, there are still centres that do not deal with these disorders concurrently (i.e. in a coordinated and integrated fashion which is best practice). The results are ineffective or sub-standard care for these individuals that will not truly meet their needs. Andrea Tsanos, Advanced Practice Clinician for the Toronto Centre for Addiction and Mental Health is featured in the vignette, Concurrent Disorders (Part 1). Andrea delivers an insightful introductory session defining Concurrent Disorders and describes what those living with Concurrent Disorders encounter in their day-to-day lives. Questions for Further Consideration: What was your understanding about Concurrent Disorders before viewing the vignette? Does knowing reasons why one would use substances that contribute to the disorder change your understanding or attitude toward those who have it? Each viewer will have a different experience but it is valuable to review some of the reasons for someone to use substances: for self-medication to relieve the symptoms of mental health issues to relieve feelings of isolation or despair to gain acceptance in a peer group and to gain a general sense of well-being Consider the stigma often associated with someone who has an addiction problem or has a mental health diagnosis. What are some of the issues that people with concurrent disorders face? Prejudice and discrimination in personal, social, and medical interactions Secrecy about symptoms and how they are dealing with them Avoidance in seeking help Low self esteem Depression – suicidal ideation Homelessness/housing problems Legal problems Rejection from peers or family Poor quality of life When an individual with a Concurrent Disorder seeks information about where to get help in your community – do you know what resources are available? You may have to discuss this with your training coordinator because each community is different. Some of you may have access to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) while smaller communities may not. You may want to take a look at what is offered in mental health supports as well as what is available in the area of addictions. Remember, a person who has a Concurrent Disorders will not necessarily identify with this label or know that they have them. Concurrent Disorders, Part 1 There are many reasons to become aware of the impact of Concurrent Disorders. Many do not understand that substance use can trigger or worsen mental health problems; and in some cases, may mask an undiagnosed mental illness that already exists. Conversely, mental health issues such as depression, anxiety or psychotic symptoms can lead one to use substances, which can progress into a development of concurrent substance use disorder. Seeking assistance for these disorders can be very frustrating. The fact is, it is not unusual for community treatment programs to deal with substance use and mental health disorders separately in a fragmented way, or to deal with one issue but not the other. Although the treatment system is improving, there are still centres that do not deal with these disorders concurrently (i.e. in a coordinated and integrated fashion which is best practice). The results are ineffective or sub-standard care for these individuals that will not truly meet their needs. Andrea Tsanos, Advanced Practice Clinician for the Toronto Centre for Addiction and Mental Health is featured in the vignette, Concurrent Disorders (Part 1). Andrea delivers an insightful introductory session defining Concurrent Disorders and describes what those living with Concurrent Disorders encounter in their day-to-day lives. Questions for Further Consideration: What was your understanding about Concurrent Disorders before viewing the vignette? Does knowing reasons why one would use substances that contribute to the disorder change your understanding or attitude toward those who have it? Each viewer will have a different experience but it is valuable to review some of the reasons for someone to use substances: for self-medication to relieve the symptoms of mental health issues to relieve feelings of isolation or despair to gain acceptance in a peer group and to gain a general sense of well-being Consider the stigma often associated with someone who has an addiction problem or has a mental health diagnosis. What are some of the issues that people with concurrent disorders face? Prejudice and discrimination in personal, social, and medical interactions Secrecy about symptoms and how they are dealing with them Avoidance in seeking help Low self esteem Depression – suicidal ideation Homelessness/housing problems Legal problems Rejection from peers or family Poor quality of life When an individual with a Concurrent Disorder seeks information about where to get help in your community – do you know what resources are available? You may have to discuss this with your training coordinator because each community is different. Some of you may have access to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) while smaller communities may not. You may want to take a look at what is offered in mental health supports as well as what is available in the area of addictions. Remember, a person who has a Concurrent Disorders will not necessarily identify with this label or know that they have them.

]]> There are many reasons to become aware of the impact of Concurrent Disorders. Many do not understand that substance use can trigger or worsen mental health problems; and in some cases, may mask an undiagnosed mental illness that already exists. Conversely, mental health issues such as depression, anxiety or psychotic symptoms can lead one to use substances, which can progress into a development of concurrent substance use disorder. Seeking assistance for these disorders can be very frustrating. The fact is, it is not unusual for community treatment programs to deal with substance use and mental health disorders separately in a fragmented way, or to deal with one issue but not the other. Although the treatment system is improving, there are still centres that do not deal with these disorders concurrently (i.e. in a coordinated and integrated fashion which is best practice). The results are ineffective or sub-standard care for these individuals that will not truly meet their needs. Andrea Tsanos, Advanced Practice Clinician for the Toronto Centre for Addiction and Mental Health is featured in the vignette, Concurrent Disorders (Part 1). Andrea delivers an insightful introductory session defining Concurrent Disorders and describes what those living with Concurrent Disorders encounter in their day-to-day lives. Questions for Further Consideration: What was your understanding about Concurrent Disorders before viewing the vignette? Does knowing reasons why one would use substances that contribute to the disorder change your understanding or attitude toward those who have it? Each viewer will have a different experience but it is valuable to review some of the reasons for someone to use substances: for self-medication to relieve the symptoms of mental health issues to relieve feelings of isolation or despair to gain acceptance in a peer group and to gain a general sense of well-being Consider the stigma often associated with someone who has an addiction problem or has a mental health diagnosis. What are some of the issues that people with concurrent disorders face? Prejudice and discrimination in personal, social, and medical interactions Secrecy about symptoms and how they are dealing with them Avoidance in seeking help Low self esteem Depression – suicidal ideation Homelessness/housing problems Legal problems Rejection from peers or family Poor quality of life When an individual with a Concurrent Disorder seeks information about where to get help in your community – do you know what resources are available? You may have to discuss this with your training coordinator because each community is different. Some of you may have access to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) while smaller communities may not. You may want to take a look at what is offered in mental health supports as well as what is available in the area of addictions. Remember, a person who has a Concurrent Disorders will not necessarily identify with this label or know that they have them.

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