About the course: 

The term "dual diagnosis" refers to an individual coping with a mental disorder alongside an addiction to psychoactive substances and/or a behavioral addiction. Both disorders may appear simultaneously or sequentially, and they interact with each other. Furthermore, each condition has its unique characteristics and challenges, and together they have a decisive impact on the individual and their environment (Rabinovich Shenkar, 2020).

Teams and organizations that provide services to rehabilitation basket beneficiaries are increasingly encountering individuals with dual diagnoses in various settings. This highlights the growing need for professional specialization and tools to offer comprehensive, integrated, and holistic rehabilitative-therapeutic support for all complex cases.

The Dual Diagnosis course is designed for rehabilitation system workers who wish to expand their understanding of working with individuals coping with dual diagnosis. This foundational course enables participants to evaluate and reshape their beliefs and work approaches, broaden their knowledge, and experiment with diverse tools in the field of dual diagnosis – mental health challenges and addictions.

During the course, we will learn the basic concepts in the field of addiction, understand this phenomenon in depth, and examine the complexity of addiction disease in combination with mental health challenges and vice versa. We will become familiar with and delve into the rationale, perception, and “spirit” of working with individuals facing dual diagnosis. Additionally, we will explore and be exposed to various models, approaches, and tools that will assist us in our professional guidance of this unique population.

The course will be accompanied by a guidance group that will support the deepening of understanding and the connection between theory, experience, and practical application in the field.

Course Objectives:

• The student will acquire knowledge in the field of addiction – familiarization with various models for understanding addiction.
• The student will learn about various mental health challenges related to the use of psychoactive substances and addictive behaviors.
• The student will learn the principles of working with individuals coping with co-occurring disorders.
• The student will receive tools for coping with dilemmas and issues arising in daily work within the field of dual diagnosis.
• The student will be exposed to and learn about the range of services and responses available in the field.

Course Structure:

The course consists of 14 sessions, each lasting 6 academic hours, held in person in Kiryat Ono.

Over the last two hours, a training workshop has been conducted in two groups.

• The course includes a study tour to one of the dedicated frameworks for treating and rehabilitating individuals with dual diagnosis. Transportation to and from the site is the responsibility of the students. The tour will take place between 10:00 and 14:00. Further details will be provided to admitted participants.

Course Requirements:

• Mandatory attendance in 90% of classes and in the training group
• Active participation in lessons, discussions, the training group, and classroom exercises
• Dilemma presentation in the training workshop and its processing in a written assignment.
• Submission of a final assignment.

Admission Requirements:

• A professional working in the mental health rehabilitation system.
• Guide for Rehabilitation Instructors Who Have Completed a Basic Training Course in the Mental Health Rehabilitation System.
• At least six months of experience in the field of rehabilitation or mental health care, and practical experience working with individuals with dual diagnosis.

Course Cost:

Cost per participant: 980 NIS. Ministry of Health contribution: 2,230 NIS.

To register for a course in Kiryat Ono, click here