Course

26437 - Substance Use Disorder and Trauma; Understanding the Intersectionality of the Disorders Across the Recovery Continuum - January 29 at 1 pm

3 credits

$49 Enroll

Full course description

Title: Substance Use Disorder and Trauma; Understanding the Intersectionality of the Disorders Across the Recovery Continuum

Presented By: Darla Belflower, MSW, LCSW, CPS

Program #: 26437

Date(s): Thursday, January 29, 2026

Time: 1:00 PM – 4:15 PM, Central Time

Format: Live Interactive Webinar, Synchronous Distance Learning

Location: Online

CE Credit Awarded: 3 CE Credits

Total Minutes of Educational Instruction: 180 Minutes

Fee: $69; fee collected at registration includes attendance for the training and CE certificate issuance

 

Agenda:

 

1:00 PM – 2:50 PM (110 minutes Educational Instruction)

·       Review of how traumatic experiences shape brain function and coping behaviors

·       Discussion of the overlap between trauma and substance use disorder, including the high prevalence of trauma histories among individuals with SUD

·       Identification of common emotional, cognitive, and physical reactions to trauma to strengthen screening and assessment practices

·       Examination of how trauma responses influence vulnerability across the recovery continuum

·       Introduction to protective and vulnerability factors for SUD and how they guide prevention and intervention

·       Understanding the relationship between trauma, survival strategies, and the development of substance use patterns

2:50 PM – 3:05 PM – BREAK (15 minutes | 2:50 PM – 3:05 PM)

 

3:05 PM – 4:15 PM (70 minutes Educational Instruction)

·       Explanation of how untreated trauma can increase the risk of developing or worsening SUD

·       Exploration of the ways substance use may function as a coping or survival strategy for individuals with trauma histories

·       Practical discussion on using a trauma-informed lens to support safety, regulation, and long-term recovery

·       Application of tools that support trauma-informed engagement across the recovery continuum

·       Participant reflection and integration of concepts

Speaker Bio: Darla Belflower, MSW, LCSW, CPS has worked in leadership in the substance use disorder and behavioral health fields for over three decades. She has a passion for teaching others what she has learned in those years. She is Vice Chair of the KC Recovery Coalition, serves on the board of the MO Coalition of Recovery Support Providers and is a member of The MO Department of Mental Health State Advisory Council. She is a LCSW, LAC, CRAADC, CPS, CTTS, and HRS, obtained her MSW from the KU, and has a BS in Psychology and Alcohol and Drug Studies from MO Valley College. Darla is a person in recovery and author of the book, “I Am Not Anonymous.”

 

Learning Objectives:

1.       Identify at least five common symptoms and reactions that can result from trauma to improve screening and assessment.

2.       List at least four protective factors and four vulnerability factors for SUD to guide prevention and intervention planning.

3.       Explain at least three ways untreated trauma can increase the risk of developing or worsening SUD, in order to inform treatment approaches.

 

Description: Substance use disorder and trauma frequently overlap, with as many as 75 percent of individuals with SUD reporting a trauma history. This training explores how traumatic experiences shape brain function, coping behaviors, and vulnerability across the recovery continuum. Participants will examine the common emotional, cognitive, and physical reactions to trauma that influence screening and assessment. We will review key protective and vulnerability factors that impact the development of SUD and discuss how untreated trauma increases the likelihood of substance use as a survival strategy. Through a trauma-informed lens, practitioners will learn practical tools that support safety, regulation, and long-term recovery.

 

Target Audience: Social Workers, Counselors, and/or other Mental Health Professionals

 

Accreditations:

Missouri Institute of Mental Health (MIMH)

The University of Missouri-St. Louis, Missouri Institute of Mental Health will be responsible for this program and will maintain a record of your continuing education credits earned.

MIMH awards 3 clock hour(s) or 3.6 contact hour(s) (.36 CEUs) for this program, including 0 clock hour(s) towards ethics, 0 clock hour(s) towards suicide prevention, and 0 clock hour(s) towards cultural competency.

 

National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)

MIMH is an NBCC - Approved Continuing Education Provider, No. 6339 (ACEPTM) and may offer NBCC - approved clock hours for events (or programs) that meet NBCC requirements. Sessions (or programs) for which NBCC – approved clock hours will be awarded are identified in the program bulletin (or web site). The ACEP is solely responsible for all aspects for the program.

3 clock hour(s) are offered to the participant for this program.

 

Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) ACE

University of Missouri - St. Louis, Missouri Institute of Mental Health, Professional Training Center, provider number: 1880, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: September 5, 2025 – September 5, 2028. Social workers completing this course receive [3] [general] continuing education credits.

 

Accommodations Policy: Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact MIMH, Professional Training Center in writing at conferences@mimh.edu , as early as possible to request reasonable accommodations, such as ASL interpreters, alternate format materials, and map of accessible features.

 

Grievance Policy for UMSL | MIMH, Professional Training Center:

Complaints about Course Content, Speakers, Facilities, Nonreceipt of Certificates, Miscellaneous:

UMSL | MIMH, Professional Training Center is committed to providing quality professional continuing education trainings. If you experience dissatisfaction with the quality of services provided, the course content, speakers, facilities used, certificates or nonreceipt of certificates, etc., please email conferences@mimh.edu to notify UMSL | MIMH, Professional Training Center of your grievance. UMSL | MIMH, Professional Training Center CE Director, Kelly Gregory (kelly.gregory@mimh.edu ) and Social Work Consultant, Megan Galmiche (megan.galmiche@mimh.edu ) will review the grievance and will provide a response within 10 business days of communication. All grievances and actions taken to resolve the grievance will be documented, kept confidential, and only used to improve future courses.

Refund and/or Cancellation Requests:

If you are unable to attend and/or exhibit, we ask that you notify us as soon as possible at conferences@mimh.edu . Cancellations received in writing 5 business days prior for online programs, and 30 business days prior for in-person programs prior to the date of the program will be refunded, less a processing fee. For registrants, you may send a substitute, but we ask that you notify us in writing of this change at conferences@mimh.edu . If you do not attend or send a substitute, you or your employer will be responsible for the registration fee and/or exhibit fee in full.

 

Course Completion Requirements:

  1. Attend course
  2. Submit the online course evaluation
  3. Your CE Certificate will be available in your Canvas account upon submission of the course evaluation

 

Deadline to Register: Registrations may be taken up until one hour before the start of the program to allow for time to receive instructions and login.

 

System Requirements:

  • An internet connection – broadband wired or wireless (4G/LTE or 5G)
  • Speakers and a microphone – built-in, USB plug-in, or wireless Bluetooth. Participants’ audio and video functionality will initially be off during the webinar. Participants may choose to turn on their own video and/or audio, but are not required to. Participants may type questions in the Q&A or Chat functions in Zoom. The host or speaker will read each question/comment and respond to them during the training.
  • A webcam is not required for participants. Participants may choose to turn on their own video and/or audio, but are not required to. The speaker and the host will have their webcam and audio functionality turned on throughout the webinar, so you may see the speaker, host, and slides.

 

Certificate of Credit:

  1. Certificate of credit will be available in your Canvas account after the course evaluation has been submitted
  2. Save your certificate of credit and any pertinent course information (flyer, brochure, program, schedule, agenda, etc.) for your records
  3. UMSL | MIMH, Professional Training Center will maintain a record of your attendance and certificate of credit for seven years after program start date

 

Organization Responsible for Course:

UMSL | Missouri Institute of Mental Health, Professional Training Center

RCEW Building

8225 Florissant Rd.

St. Louis, MO 63121-2020

Website: www.mimhtraining.com 

Contact Information: conferences@mimh.edu | 314-516-8419