Evidence-Based Care & Support for Adolescents and Young Adults with Co-Occurring Substance Use Disorders and Eating Disorders

Laura Grubb, MD, MPH

For many adolescents and young adults, eating disorders (ED) and substance use disorders (SUD) are not distinct challenges, but an integrated and mutually dependent challenges. This 90-minute interactive session explores the clinical intersection of these disorders, with a look at the epidemiology of co-occurrence and the genetic, internal, and external factors that drive these behaviors.

Moving beyond theory, this presentation utilizes a clinical case to illustrate how these behaviors serve as maladaptive coping mechanisms while exploring the risks of symptom substitution and the power of resiliency-based approaches. This clinical case will be augmented by a co-presenter with lived experience. We will conduct a brief clinical review of DSM-5-TR criteria for both ED and SUD to ensure a shared diagnostic language. Participants will engage in active discussion and audience participation to identify symptoms, risks, resiliencies, and approaches to care. We will conclude with a review of SAMHSA-aligned, integrated treatment strategies and a comprehensive resource toolkit designed to support “whole-person” recovery in transition-age youth. This presentation will include a person with lived experience who will share their story in their own words.

1. Review Diagnostic Criteria and Profiles: Summarize the DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria for both Eating Disorders and Substance Use Disorders, and differentiate between the specific substances most commonly misused in conjunction with different ED subtypes (e.g., stimulants for weight control in restrictive types vs. alcohol/depressants for emotional numbing in binge/purge types).
2. Evaluate Clinical Cases and Resilience: Apply a real life case presentation to identify high-risk behaviors and interact with an individual with lived experience in their voice to learn about risks, barriers, and resilience in practice.
3. Analyze Epidemiology and Risk Factors: Evaluate current epidemiological data regarding the co-occurrence of ED and SUD in youth, identifying core genetic (heritability), internal (personality traits/neurobiology), and external (trauma/social environment) factors that contribute to these dual diagnoses.
4. Implement Integrated Care Models: Describe the “whole-person” approach to treatment as recommended by SAMHSA, including the roles of a multidisciplinary team (medical, nutritional, and psychological) in treating both disorders concurrently.
5. Utilize Professional Resources: Demonstrate how to access and navigate evidence-based tools and helplines to facilitate immediate referral and support for dually diagnosed youth.

Audience:

Prescribing Clinicians and their teams

Continuing Medical Education:

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the Hanley Center for Health Leadership and Education and CCSME. The Hanley Center for Health Leadership and Education is accredited by the Maine Medical Association Committee on Continuing Medical Education and Accreditation to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Hanley Center for Health Leadership and Education designates this regularly scheduled series for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit ™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

*Nurses and Nurse Practitioners will be awarded a certificate of participation with a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit ™.

This course has been approved by Co-Occurring Collaborative Serving Maine (CCSME), as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for 1.5 educational credits. NAADAC Provider #324712, CCSME is responsible for all aspects of the programming.

Contact Hours 1.5 contact hours for social workers, licensed clinical professional counselors, and behavioral health professionals.

1.5 Category 1 Contact hours for psychologists. CCSME is a pre-approved sponsor and provider of Professional Education Activities for Psychologists.

1.5 contract hours CHES. CCSME is a designated provider of continuing education contact hours (CECH) in health education by the National Commission of Health Education Credentialing, Inc.