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INTERVIEWER: What would you consider the greatest risk in the life of the patient with co-occurring addiction and mental
health challenges?
DR.
STENSON: Such individuals face a number of challenges but perhaps the greatest risk would be...
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Continued on page 7
INTERVIEWER: What would you consider the greatest risk in the life of the patient with co-occurring addiction and mental
health challenges?
DR.
STENSON: Such individuals face a number of challenges but perhaps the greatest risk would be a preventable, premature
death.
When diagnosis is delayed and treatment not provided, risk factors such as suicide, accidental death, and illness development significantly increases.
An individual’s quality of life can be significantly improved with proper diagnosis and treatment.
INTERVIEWER: What things would you consider as most important to add to the patient’s lives to increase resiliency?
DR.
STENSON: Becoming a partner and meaningful participant in the individual’s treatment can greatly add to an individual’s
resiliency.
Knowing that their treatment team understands the many challenges they face can be internalized and applied to
the day-to-day coping skills and resiliency.
INTERVIEWER: If you were to ask a patient furt
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