Expert to explain complications of substance abuse, mental health

Newton — Deborah Kopko-Vitale, a co-ocurring specialist for the Center for Prevention and Counseling, will give a presentation on Thursday, May 1 at 7 p.m. on the complications of treating people with co-occuring disorders.

Questions from the audience will be encouraged.

According to a 2011 national survey for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, about 9.2 million adults have co-occurring mental health and addiction disorders. More than 42 percent of adults with a past-year substance-use disorder had a co-occurring mental illness.

This NAMI Sussex program is free and open to the public. There is no need to register in advance. The program will be held at Bridgeway Rehabilitation Services, 93 Stickles Pond Rd., Newton. For more information or directions, call 973-214-0632 or visit www.nami-sussex-nj.org.