When Psychiatric Disorders Co-occur with Alcohol Use Disorder

When Psychiatric Disorders Co-occur with Alcohol Use Disorder

Host: American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry
Recorded: September 29, 2026
Enduring Training

Overview

This training discusses how alcohol use disorder (AUD) commonly co-occurs with psychiatric conditions including depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social anxiety disorder, and bipolar disorder, often complicating diagnosis, treatment engagement, and recovery. Participants will examines the epidemiology of these co-occurring disorders, discusses challenges in distinguishing substance-induced symptoms from independent psychiatric conditions, and reviews practical screening tools used in clinical settings. Participants will also explore evidence-based treatment approaches, including FDA-approved medications for AUD, pharmacologic treatments for depression, anxiety, and PTSD, trauma-focused psychotherapies, and integrated treatment models that address both conditions simultaneously to improve patient outcomes.

The target audience for this intermediate level activity includes: All types of healthcare professionals. 

The ACGME Competencies include: Medical Knowledge, Patient Care and Procedural Skills, and Systems-based Practice

Learning Objectives

Upon completion, learners will be able to:

1. Describe the epidemiology of psychiatric disorders and co-occurring alcohol use disorder (AUD).
2. Recognize the barriers and challenges to treating psychiatric patients and AUD. 
3. Indicate how pharmacotherapy and behavioral therapy are used to treat these co-occurring disorders. 

• Registration Deadline: 08/30/2027 
• Close Access Date: 09/30/2027 

Instructions

1. Click on the Contents tab to begin this activity.  
2. Click View On-Demand Session to watch the training.  
3. Click Complete GPRA Evaluation to provide valuable activity feedback. Scroll down on all questions as there may be answer options that expand past the size of the window.  
4. Click Claim Certificate of Completion to view/print certificate.   

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Disclosure Information

In accordance with the disclosure policies of ASAM and Joint Accreditation, the effort is made to ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all accredited continuing education activities. These policies include identifying and mitigating all relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies for those involved in the creation and dissemination of accredited continuing education.

This activity is not for credit.