2014-25: Confronting Complexity: Strategies for Dual Diagnosis Care  

This presentation highlights the complexities of dual diagnosis care, the importance of integrated treatment approaches, and the need for tailored care plans that address both mental health and substance use. It emphasizes diagnostic accuracy, harm reduction, and relapse prevention to improve patient outcomes.

Presenter:  Kirby Williams, MSN, PMHNP-BC

Disclosures:  The APNA planners and faculty, with the exception of those listed below, have no relevant financial relationships to disclose. All relevant financial relationships listed for these individuals have been mitigated. Off-label uses will not be discussed during this presentation.

Kirby Williams, MSN, PMHNP-BC serves as a consultant and is on the speaker’s bureau for Otsuka America Pharmaceutical.

Session Length:  45 minutes

Target Audience:  RN, APRN

Learning Outcome:
Upon completion of this presentation, the participant will be able to:

• Describe three practical techniques for improved diagnosis and treatment of co-occurring disorders.

Key Takeaway(s): 

• Mental health and substance use disorders should be treated concurrently.
• Harm reduction strategies and relapse prevention plans are essential.

Keywords:  Substance Use, Harm Reduction, Dual Diagnosis, Co-occurring Disorders

Nursing Continuing Professional Development:
0.75 contact hours (of which 0.25 are in pharmacology).  * In order to receive contact hours, you must: Listen to the entire presentation, complete the reflection activity, evaluation, and honor statement before the expiration date. Once all steps are successfully completed, a certificate will be generated online and available for you to print immediately. Contact hours cannot be awarded unless all required components are completed. 

The American Psychiatric Nurses Association is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

Release Date:  December 2, 2025
Access to this course will end:  December 1, 2027

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