Substance Use & Addiction:
Effects, Risks, & Harm Reduction Strategies for Clients
With Kimberly May, LPC-S, LMFT
Dear Mental Health Professional,
Jerry is alive because of his therapist.
When Jerry was referred to a therapist following a near-fatal fentanyl overdose, he expected the same old story: Get off fentanyl, and then I’ll see you.
Many therapists refer out drug-using clients because they are uninformed about substance use disorders.
Many mental health trainings tend to teach that:
- Our brains get addicted to certain substances
- All drugs are basically the same (i.e. “bad” and addictive)
- One has to stop their addiction before they can be treated for underlying conditions
But what if that information is wrong?
The truth is:
- Mental health and substance use are intertwined
- Putting mental health and substance use in different ‘silos’ is harmful to clients
- People can (and should) get treated for underlying mental health issues even if they’re still using drugs
Kimberly May is a substance use specialist who teaches other therapists about drugs, substance use disorders, and treatment options. Kim was Jerry’s therapist.
Kim will show you how she worked from a place of compassion and knowledge with Jerry to transform misconceptions and judgments about substances (and the people who use them) into effective strategies that empower clients to be safer and lead healthy lives.
When Kim worked with Jerry, she was able to offer options that aligned with his goals. In this course, you’ll learn to look at substance use on a continuum. From abstinence-based, medical, harm reduction, or ancient and emerging treatments, you’ll have more options for your clients and a healthier community.
You don’t have to refer clients out and, in fact, you might just save a life if you don’t.
Warmly,
Kimberly May, LPC-S, LMFT &
Academy of Therapy Wisdom
Your job as a therapist – even if you’re not an addiction specialist – is to understand addiction. You need to know:
How various substances affect humans
How and why people get addicted to them
Treatment options for each unique situation
How to help your clients be safe and healthy even while using
So sign up now for Kimberly May’s concise, accessible and urgently-needed training!
Did You Know?
In the U.S., an estimated 43 million people meet six of the eleven DSM criteria for severe substance use disorder. Of those, only 6% received treatment.
As mental health professionals, we cannot assume that people are getting the substance use treatment they need. They may show up in your office with other complaints, symptoms, or conditions, in addition to addiction. When substance use becomes apparent, you need to be prepared to help them.
“Addiction is not a disease; it’s an adaptation.”
– Kimberly May, LPC-S, LMFT
After completing this course, you will:
- Approach substance use discussions with confidence and compassion, backed by factual information.
- Possess a blend of harm-reduction tools and abstinence methods to help your clients find the right course of action for their situation.
- Be knowledgeable about various substances, their effects, risks, and associated harm-reduction techniques.
- Understand strategies to help clients reduce substance-related risks.
- Feel empowered to discuss substance use disorders without fear.
- Utilize diverse treatment modalities beyond just abstinence.
- Finally combine mental health treatment with addiction treatment so you can stop referring out and serve your clients more holistically.
In this training you will learn:
Each module builds your knowledge of substances, risks and benefits, and treatment options that empower you to discuss substance use disorders without fear.
Creating Connection Through Understanding
Drug overdose deaths have been increasing with alarming frequency; only 6% of people who meet criteria for a substance use disorder receive any kind of support. In this module, you will learn about the foundations of harm reduction, as well as some key concepts related to understanding psychoactive substances, so you can help your clients stay safer.
You will learn:
- The need for safety and connection based on drug use trends
- How to introduce the mission and goals of harm reduction
- Key concepts and terminology related to substance use disorders
- About 6 important neurotransmitters and take a closer look at dopamine and the role it plays in addiction
- How harm reduction fosters safety and connection in the therapeutic relationship
Club Drugs
The so called “club drugs” or “mind expanding drugs” are often believed to be without the same risks as “street” or other drugs. Since “club” drugs are often lumped together, less is known about how the individual substances work and the need for more specific harm reduction interventions to increase safety.
You will learn about the following substances (what they are, how they work, why people like them, their risks, and harm reduction strategies for each):
- MDMA
- Hallucinogens (LSD & psilocybin)
- Dissociative Anesthetics (ketamine & nitrous oxide)
Stimulants
Although stimulants differ from each other, they share many similarities, especially how they impact the central nervous system. Stimulants range drastically in their half-life, creating a range of intensity and user experience.
You will learn about:
- Methamphetamine, Cocaine, and Pharmaceutical Stimulants
- How they impact the brain and body and why people like them
- The risks and harm reduction strategies for these substances
Central Nervous System Depressants
CNS depressants vary in drug class, but all pose similar risks of overdose. This module covers benzodiazepines, alcohol, and opioids.
You will learn about:
- Benzodiazepines – what they are and harm reduction strategies
- Opioids, part 1 – what they are, why humans are wired to like them, the experience
- Opioids, part 2 – withdrawal symptoms, the risks, harm reduction strategies, and the importance of Narcan
- Alcohol, part 1 – how it works on the brain and the body, why people like it
- Alcohol, part2 – the risks, and harm reduction strategies
Substance Use and Treatment
All too often, clients with substance use disorders are provided generic referrals for treatment that is unnecessary or does not reflect their needs and preferences. In this module, we explore various treatment options and learn how to support clients into making informed decisions. Also covered is how to incorporate harm reduction interventions into clinical practice.
You will learn about:
- How to determine who needs treatment and the importance of person-centered approaches to choice
- Traditional and abstinence-based approaches
Medical and harm reduction approaches - Ancient and emerging approaches
- How to select a treatment that fosters safety and connection through the implementation of harm reduction plans
“The treatment that is most successful is the one the client wants to participate in.”
– Kimberly May
ENROLL NOW
Today Only:
$97
Substance Use and Addiction: Effects, Risks, and Harm Reduction Strategies for Clients
If you are a BIPOC helping professional,
please accept our discounted enrollment price for this course by clicking here.
We are glad to have you with us!
100% Risk-Free Money-Back Guarantee
We are confident you will learn new skills in this online training. However, if 7 days after purchase, you don’t believe you will learn anything to apply with your clients, please contact our support team at support@therapywisdom.comand we will give you a full refund, no questions asked.
About Your Instructor
Kimberly May, LPC-S, LMFT
Kimberly May, LPC-S, LMFT, is a therapist and the founder of Substance Use Therapy in Austin, TX. Kimberly specializes in serving individuals, couples, and families whose lives have been impacted by substance use. She works from a harm reduction model to support people wherever they are on the continuum of use.
Kimberly has worked in harm reduction and community mental health programs since 2009. Her passion is empowering people to make changes on their terms and works to foster this through compassion, pragmatism, and collaboration.
In addition to her clinical work, Kimberly has provided training to clinicians, physicians, paraprofessionals, and law enforcement, all with the goal of enhancing our capacity to do our most important work-helping people be well.
Hear What Folks Who Have Learned
From Kim Have To Say…
“…confront myths you may not even know you have been holding about substance use…”
– Juliane (Jules) Taylor Shore, LMFT, LPC, SEP
“Kim is a true thought leader in her field.”
Kim is a true thought leader in her field; most of the SUD field has not caught up to her. I encourage any client interested in thoughtfully exploring their relationship to substances to reach out to her, and I encourage any clinician seeking active and wise collaboration to consider working with Kim.”
– David Walsh, MSN, RN, PMHNP-BC, Psychiatric nurse practitioner specializing in substance use disorder
“…breaking the complex topic of addiction down to a very relatable subject and process.”
Dan Escobar, M.A., LPC
“Her take on integrating compassion and connection into the clinical approach towards drugs is extraordinary. It’s a game-changer.”
– Sheila Maglaris, MA, LPC
Frequently asked
questions
Q: I already have training in substance use disorders. Why should I take this course?
If you already understand 1) why people would want to take drugs, 2) how different drugs work in the mind and body, 3) the benefits of harm reduction strategies alongside abstinence-only treatment, 4) the necessity of connection and compassion instead of judgment, and 5) how to implement harm reduction strategies for safer substance use, then you don’t need this course. But if you are missing any of these key components to holistic substance use support, please take this course so your clients can be safer in their lives.
Q: Isn't anything except abstinence just condoning and promoting drug use?
That has been the standard belief for years. But it is misguided, wrong, and frankly, harmful. While it may look on the surface like clinical professionals are “promoting drug use,” the option of harm reduction strategies is client-centered, safer than encouraging someone to stop using when they don’t want to or can’t, and proven to be more successful in changing substance use patterns.
Q: I only have so much time and money for continuing education. This course seems interesting but I work with (trauma, anxiety, couples) so it doesn't sound like this course is relevant to my day to day work.
We believe that just about every therapist has clients who are using substances – or is impacted by someone who is. If you work with trauma survivors, the rate of substance use is estimated at 25-75%. For people with anxiety, the rate is about 20%. If you can be the therapist that your client isn’t embarrassed or afraid to talk with about substance use, this course could be one of the most important courses you take. Destigmatizing drug use, and having open compassionate conversations with your clients, is worth the time and money you’ll invest.
Q: You mean I can support clients who are using substances if I'm not a substance use specialist?
Absolutely. For decades, mental health and substance use have been artificially kept in different silos of care. The most effective therapists will have knowledge and skills for both so they can seamlessly provide support without having to refer their clients out to other therapists.
Q: I get that most drugs are dangerous and risky but some drugs - like mushrooms or ketamine therapy - are oaky to use, right?
Kim May will break it all down in this course! There is a false dichotomy of “good” and “bad” drugs. Much of that dichotomy is based on how the public’s ideas about certain drugs were manipulated based on race, class, and politics. Learn about the real history of drugs in America and get an attitude adjustment about good/bad drugs.
Q: Is this course pre-recorded, or is it live where I can ask questions?
Each module is filled with Kims ‘s pre-recorded content. You’ll have unlimited access to the modules.
Q: Can I get CEs for this course?
Yes. 2.5 limited CEs are available for this course. Full CE info can be found here.