Understanding dual disorders

Objective: This webinar will provide an overview of dual disorders (DD), introduce the recently launched EUDA health and social responses miniguide, and offer practical insights from EU-based initiatives. Participants will gain a clearer understanding of the challenges associated with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, as well as examples of how these are being addressed in different contexts. The webinar will showcase two concrete initiatives focusing on improving access to care and implementing coordinated national responses.

Background: Dual disorders, referring to the co-occurrence of a mental health and a substance use disorder in the same individual, present complex challenges for health and social systems across Europe. Individuals affected often face barriers to accessing appropriate, integrated care, while services may struggle to respond in a coordinated and effective manner. In response, a growing number of initiatives across EU countries are working to improve service accessibility, strengthen prevention efforts and develop comprehensive policy frameworks. This webinar brings together these perspectives to support a better understanding of dual disorders and promote more integrated and effective responses.

Miniguide: Dual disorders: health and social responses (news item).

In conversation with:

• Ines Hasselberg, PhD, Principal scientific writer, European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA);
• Clara de Ruysscher, PhD, Post-doctoral researcher, Ghent University, Belgium;
• Prof (Dr). Narayanan Subramanian, National Clinical Lead for the Dual Diagnosis National Clinical Programme in the Republic of Ireland, Health Service Executive (HSE).

Chairperson: João Vian, MD, Scientific Analyst Health and Social Responses: Treatment, mental health and outcomes evaluation, European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA). 

Support team: Marica Ferri, Ines Hasselberg, Anna Ferrara, Marco Costa, Silke Vitt (EUDA).

Format: Opening remarks, speaker presentations, panellists’ questions, audience Q&A and closing remarks.

Length: 1.5 hours.

Participants: Open to all registered attendees (a joining link will be provided upon registration). 

Webinar etiquette: We welcome participants using the chat during the webinar but kindly ask them to refrain from using it for airing grievances, promoting events/commercial initiatives or misusing contact details. Please engage with courtesy and respect. Violation of these guidelines may result in exclusion from the chat by the administrator. Thank you for your cooperation in making this webinar a positive and focused learning experience for all.

Date: 09 September 2026 | 12:00–13:30 Lisbon time (WEST) — 13:00–14:30 (CEST).

Platform: Zoom.