The Take 10! Transforming Care for Women with Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) and their Families series discusses current issues and challenges confronted by women presenting with substance use, SUDs, and who are in recovery. Women experience SUD in ways that are distinct from men. Studies show that when women begin treatment for SUDs, they frequently arrive with more severe medical, behavioral, psychological, and social struggles compared to men. For these reasons, there is a need for different treatment methods.

Series Learning Objectives

This series will address:

• Best practices for treating women with SUDs in the United States, with a focus on the Midwest
• The link between trauma, substance use, and other co-morbidities in women
• Using trauma-informed approaches during treatment when appropriate
• Effective clinical strategies, interventions, and resources that help improve engagement, retention, and completion of treatment programs

Topic 6 (Overview Session): Considerations for Treating Women with SUDs Who Have Experienced Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

This 30-minute overview session will introduce participants to considerations for treating women with SUDs who have experienced IPV and/or TBI.

When most people hear the terms “concussion” or “traumatic brain injury,” they think of football, military service, or unfortunate accidents. Fewer people are aware that brain injury can be caused by overdoses, head injuries while under the influence of substances, domestic violence (e.g., domestic, sexual), and strangulation or choking. Many clinicians are unaware of the role IPV can play in the lives of their clients, including how substance use and mental health coercion can affect one's overall health, including their needs and ability to participate when receiving behavioral health services. We lack awareness of the significant role TBI and IPV can play in a person’s recovery journey as well as accessing and successfully engaging with supports. We will discuss strategies to incorporate knowledge of IPV and TBI into behavioral health services so clients can continue to live the lives they deserve. 

Session Learning Objectives:  

Attendees will:

• Learn at least two tactics of substance use coercion  

• Identify at least two ways in which unidentified brain injuries can contribute to challenges accessing behavioral health services  

• Develop at least two strategies to integrate knowledge of IPV brain injury into behavioral health services  

CERTIFICATES:

Registrants who fully attend this event or training will receive a certificate of attendance via email within two weeks after the event or training.

Trainers:

Rachel Ramirez, LISW-S, RASS

Cheryl Stahl, LPCC

The Great Lakes ATTC is offering this training for individuals working in HHS Region 5: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI. This training is being provided in response to a need identified by Region 5 stakeholders.