Description
The relationship between substance use disorders and schizophrenia has long intrigued mental health researchers and clinicians. When individuals develop psychosis in the context of substance use, what does that tell us in terms of etiopathophysiology and likely prognosis and outcome? How does one differentiate schizophrenia from substance-induced psychotic disorder? What are the treatment and prognostic implications of that distinction? In this presentation, the above questions will be addressed and clinical characteristics that enable differential diagnosis will be outlined.
Learning Objectives
At the completion of the activity, participants will:
Recognize the challenges in the differential diagnosis of psychosis in the context of substance use disorder
Summarize importance and clinical implications of distinguishing substance-induced psychosis from primary psychosis
Describe DSM and ICD criteria for various primary psychotic disorders and substance-induced psychosis
Enumerate clinical characteristics that differentiate substance-induced psychosis from primary psychosis.
Outline
- Importance and challenges in differential diagnosis of psychosis in context of substance use
- DSM-5 (DSM-5-TR) definitions and relevant changes
- Diagnostic criteria and differential diagnosis
- Clinical implications (treatment and prognosis)
- Question and answer
Format
Live webinar
Target Audience
Psychiatrist, Physician (Non-Psychiatric), Nurse Practitioner, Pharmacist, Psychologist
Estimated Time to Complete
Estimated Duration: 1 hour
Program Release Date: September 23, 2025
Program End Date: September 23, 2025
Ongoing Interdisciplinary Discussion Board
After completing the course, engage with colleagues in the mental health field through the Webinar Roundtable Topics discussion board. This is an easy way to network and share ideas with other clinicians who participate in this webinar. Access through the discussion tab.
How to Earn Credit
After completing the evaluation, participants will have the opportunity to claim their hours of participation and download the appropriate certificate. Physicians may obtain an official CME certificate, other healthcare professionals may receive a CE certificate (as applicable), and all other attendees may generate a certificate of participation. Each certificate will reflect the event date and total hours earned.
Continuing Education Credit
In support of improving patient care, American Psychiatric Association (APA) is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Physicians
The APA designates this live event for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Nurses/Nurse Practitioners
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) designates this activity for 1.00 Nursing contact hours. Nurses should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Pharmacists
This curriculum has been approved for 1.00 contact hours by the American Psychiatric Association. The American Psychiatric Association is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. The Universal Activity Number for this program is UAN JA0000145-0000-25-015-L05-P. This learning activity is application based. Your CE credits will be electronically submitted to NABP upon successful completion of the activity. Pharmacists with questions can contact NABP customer service (custserv@nabp.net).
Psychologists
Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs.
***Continuing education requirements vary from state to state. Many state boards grant reciprocity with national accrediting organizations and other state boards. It is the responsibility of each professional to understand the requirements for license renewal or check with the state or national licensing board and/or professional organization to become more familiar with their policies for acceptable continuing education credit. Social workers and Psychologists should contact their regulatory board to determine course approval.
Faculty and Planner Disclosures
The American Psychiatric Association adheres to the ACCME's Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Medical Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CME activity - including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others - are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.
Faculty:
- Rajiv Tandon, MD, is a Professor and Chair Emeritus at the Western Michigan University Homer Stryker College of Medicine, has authored more than 400 scientific publications and given over 1500 national and international scientific presentations. His major areas of clinical and research interest are the neuropharmacology of schizophrenia, differences between typical and atypical antipsychotic agents, dimensions of schizophrenic psychopathology, neuroendocrine and polysomnographic abnormalities in schizophrenia, and the evidence-based treatment of schizophrenia and other major mental disorders. Dr. Tandon has no financial relationships with commercial interests.
Program Planners:
- John Torous, MD, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Dr. Torous has no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
- Kathryn Hanley, APRN, Austin State Hospital. Ms. Hanley has no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
- Megan Ehret, PharmD, BCPP, University of Maryland, Baltimore. Dr. Ehret has no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
- Amy N. Cohen, PhD, American Psychiatric Association. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
Accessibility for Participants with Disabilities
The American Psychiatric Association is committed to ensuring accessibility of its website to people with disabilities. If you have trouble accessing any of APA’s online resources, please contact us at 202-559-3900 for assistance.
Technical Requirements
This internet-based CME activity is best experienced using any of the following:
The latest and 2nd latest public versions of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari
Internet Explorer 11+
This Web site requires JavaScript and session cookies to be enabled. Certain activities may require additional software to view multimedia, presentation, or printable versions of the content. These activities will be marked as such and will provide links to the required software. That software may be Adobe Acrobat Reader, Microsoft PowerPoint, or Windows Media Player.
Optimal System Configuration:
Browser: Google Chrome (latest and 2nd latest version), Safari (latest and 2nd latest version), Internet Explorer 11.0+, Firefox (latest and 2nd latest version), or Microsoft Edge (latest and 2nd latest version)
Operating System: Windows versions 8.1+, Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) +, Android (latest and 2nd latest version), or iOS/iPad OS (latest and 2nd latest version)
Internet Connection: 1 Mbps or higher
Minimum Requirements:
Windows PC:
Windows 8.1 or higher; 1 GB (for 32-bit)/2 GB (for 64-bit) or higher RAM; Microsoft DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver; audio playback with speakers for programs with video
For assistance: Contact educme@psych.org for questions about this activity
Contact support@smicaladviser.org for technical assistance