Yifrah Kaminer
University of University of Connecticut School of Medicine, USA
Title: Continuity of Care for Youth Substance Use Disorders with and without co-occurring Depression: Challenges and Opportunities
Biography
Biography: Yifrah Kaminer
Abstract
The traditional episodic interventions for youth with substance use disorders (SUD) have overlooked the most urgent challenges facing treatment including the: 1) heterogeneity of response to treatment, 2) problem of poor response, and 3) difficulty to address co-occurring psychiatric disorders. This workshop will include: providing rationale and updated review of continuity of care (COC) in youth; addressing the importance of Adaptive Treatment (AT) approach as an integral part of COC; and response to challenges in advancing treatment while considering mechanisms of behavior change such as self-efficacy, coping skills, goal setting and goal commitment.
The majority of youth with SUD enter treatment with co-occurring psychiatric disorders, including co-occurring depression (COD). SUD with depression has been associated with worse outcomes, high rates of additional psychiatric problems, and higher risk and shorter time for relapse after treatment. SUD and depression are risk factors for each other and for suicidal behavior. Despite the high prevalence of, and serious functional impairment associated with comorbid SUD and depression in youth, research on treatment options has been limited. Traditionally, these disorders have been treated separately in either the mental health or substance abuse treatment systems. Presently there is no standard, evidence-based intervention or a clear policy on addressing both disorders. This workshop will address treatment outcome findings and challenges of heterogeneous treatment response for COD.