The Intersections of HIV and Substance Use Disorders

Thursday, September 22, 2022

1 pm – 4 pm

3 CEs (Free for Medicaid providers)

Persons living with HIV face long-term psychological challenges and changes in their quality of life. There is also a close association between substance use disorders and HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. In people living with HIV, substance use can hasten disease progression, affect adherence to treatment recommendations such as antiretroviral therapy (HIV medicine), and worsen treatment outcomes and overall quality of life. An estimated 1 in 7 people with HIV do not know that they are infected. In 2015, Michigan ranked 14th among the 50 states in the number of HIV diagnoses. Clinicians working with this population need to understand the intersections between HIV and substance use disorders. Using the ASAM Criteria as the foundation of efforts to improve treatment for substance use disorder amongst the HIV population, Social Workers will be able to; 

• Understand acute intoxication and withdrawal potential amongst the HIV population.
• Explore & assess the biomedical conditions and complications faced by the HIV population. 
• Assess emotional, behavioral, or cognitive conditions and complications.
• Understand and assess the stages of change. 
• Assess relapse, continued use, or continued problem potential amongst the HIV population. 
• Assess how environmental factors such as living arrangements and social support systems impact recovery. 
  

In addition to the six dimensions of the ASAM criteria, this training will also include a wellness piece that will educate and provide social work practitioners with the tools to practice healthy habits on a regular basis to attain better health and wellbeing. 

This webinar will be held on Zoom, with captioning on. All registrants will be emailed course materials and log in information two days prior to the event. 

Fees:

• Social work practitioners who accept clients on Medicaid: FREE for the first 30 registrants (you will be asked for your provider number during registration)

• Other social work/mental health practitioners: $30 for NASW members, $45 for Non-Members

• Students: $15

Presenters:

Zach Ireland is the HIV Prevention Coordinator at the Lansing Area AIDS Network. He has worked in the HIV Prevention field for 3 years. He also has experience as a high school math and science teacher, a neuroscience research assistant, and a group therapy assistant at a mental health partial hospitalization program. He has degrees in neuroscience and psychology from Michigan State University, where he is currently completing a Master’s in Social Work with a clinical concentration. Recently, his organization won a grant to provide mental health services for individuals living with HIV, including those with substance use disorders.

Chelsea Spencer, LLMSW, is a Clinical Social Worker/Therapist at the Women’s Center of Southeastern Michigan. She has worked in various therapy settings for five years, such as community mental health, public schools, partial hospitalization programs, nonprofits, and private practice. In addition, she has worked in yoga and spiritual centers. Her areas of expertise include trauma recovery, holistic mental healthcare, and working with marginalized communities. She earned her MSW at the University of Michigan and has an undergraduate degree in Psychology and Sociology from Michigan State University.

NASW-Michigan is an approved provider with the Michigan Social Work Continuing Education Collaborative, Provider Number MICEC-0017. All NASW-Michigan CE courses also quality for MCBAP credits.