Summer Institute on Substance Abuse and Mental Illness Workshops

Treatment and community resources for Veterans and Offenders with Dual Disorder

This workshop applies what we know about dual disorders to the treatment of specific populations: Veterans and offenders. Jail Diversion programs have sprung up to address this revolving door into the criminal justice system for people who have criminal acts are not criminals but just people, either down on their luck, addicted to substances and/or homeless and making bad decisions. We have Veterans coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan who are increasingly joining the ranks of the homeless mentally ill and refusing to gain access to traditional VA services. With economic woes comes increased drug addiction and severe stress-related mental illness. Specific techniques will also be introduced using demonstration and role plays. Special consideration will be given to working with clients who are Veterans receiving outpatient care, homeless Veterans on the street and in a shelter setting, and those who are participating in a Jail Diversion programs.

Learning Objectives

  • develop a conceptualization of different settings where clients with Dual Diagnosis are treated & will gain an understanding of the complexity and challenges of providing individualized as well as group treatment approaches.
  • gain a general understanding of Dual Diagnosis and its theoretical background.
  • learn specific treatment approaches and strategies including Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing through a variety of teaching approaches including discussions, demonstrations and role plays.
  • Increase their knowledge of the continuum of care and wrap around services needed in providing an opportunity for a successful outcome.
  • increase their understanding and knowledge of local resources including the role of local hospitals, Medical Detoxification, short and long term residential treatment settings, A.A. and N.A. groups and social service agencies providing jail diversion.

Worshop Leader: Chuck Weinstein, LMHC

Chuck is currently a Consultant to Massachusetts General Hospital Department of Psychiatry Mood and Anxiety Disorders Institute and a Counselor and Non-Violence Educator working for the Men Against Violence Program in the Metro-West. He is also an Instructor for the University of Massachusetts Alcohol and Drug Counseling Certification Program & is an Adjunct Faculty at Cambridge College. His Masters in Expressive Art Therapies was attained from Lesley University. He also completed several post-graduate programs, one of them being a Certificate in Psychological Trauma from Boston University School of Social Work Professional Education. His career has included clinical and supervisory work. As Director of Facilitator Solutions, he travels throughout the United States conducting workshops on support group leadership, clients include: The Veterans Administration, The National Depression and Manic Depression Association, the Mental Health Association of Arizona and Partners for Youth with Disabilities.