Mental Health and Addictions
Trauma and Crisis Response
Violence Prevention

De-escalating Potentially Violent Situations for Impaired States

When someone is intoxicated or experiencing a mental health crisis, standard de-escalation approaches don't always land. This training teaches practical, trauma-informed strategies for safely responding to individuals in impaired or altered states – reducing escalation while preserving dignity and connection.

4.9 (12,500+ enrolled)
View Upcoming Dates
Available for Private Delivery
Certificate Included
De-escalating Potentially Violent Situations for Impaired States

Practical Skills for Responding to Impaired States

This workshop will build your capacity to safely respond to individuals who are intoxicated or experiencing a mental health crisis. You’ll learn how to apply a trauma‑informed approach to challenging interactions, using grounded, respectful communication to reduce escalation and maintain connection.

Through practical learning, you’ll explore how substance use and acute mental health symptoms affect cognition, behaviour, and communication. You’ll also learn to recognize your own stress responses and apply regulation skills that will help you stay steady, set boundaries, and create a safer environment for everyone.

By the end of this workshop, you’ll be able to assess risk, recognize when a situation is becoming unsafe, and respond with interpersonal strategies that prioritize safety, dignity, and practical problem‑solving – leaving you better equipped to navigate complex human behaviour.

Learning Objectives

Explain how substances and mental health concerns impact cognitive functioning
Apply trauma-informed principles to circumstances and behaviour
Assess the risk of violence in situations involving persons with altered cognition
Describe effective responses to agitation in persons experiencing altered states
Use a structured approach to safely defuse escalating behaviour
12,500+
Professionals Trained
4.7 Stars
Trustpilot Rating
500+
Organizations Served

Choose Your Format

Training options built for real-world needs.

Most Popular

Live Virtual Workshop

Interactive sessions with experienced facilitators.

From $309
/ per person
Learn from an experienced facilitator
Ask questions and get real-time guidance
Connect and learn alongside peers
Engage in discussions and practical exercises
Earn 6 CECs per day of training
Receive a certificate upon completion
View Upcoming Dates

Private Training

Personalized training solutions for your team.

$3300
/ starting at
1 day
Bring a facilitator to your team – onsite or virtual
Personalize content to your context and priorities
Focus on your real challenges and scenarios
Engage in interactive discussion and practical application
Align your team around shared language and approaches
Build skills that translate directly into day-to-day work

What You'll Learn

Understand Impaired Cognition

Learn how substances and mental health concerns affect thinking, behaviour, and communication.

Apply a Trauma-Informed Approach

Respond to challenging behaviour with an understanding of trauma responses.

Assess Risk and Set Intentions

Evaluate the potential for violence and plan your response before engaging.

Regulate Your Own Responses

Recognize your stress responses and stay steady in heightened situations.

Use Connection Strategies

Practice grounded, respectful communication that reduces escalation.

Know When to Disengage

Set boundaries, exit safely, and debrief after difficult incidents.

Our Approach

Grounded in research, practical application, and real‑world experience.

Accessible

Clear, approachable learning without unnecessary jargon.

Applicable

Content designed for real‑world challenges and opportunities.

Engaging

Facilitators bring content to life through stories and examples.

Practical

Skills and tools designed for everyday use in your setting.

What People Are Saying

Insights from our participants.

"

It's not always easy to facilitate a six-hour session, but it flew by. Perfectly timed, packed with useful, relevant information, curated to address the unique needs of our group."

K. Decle

University of British Columbia, Office of Student Academic Services

"

This was one of the best trainings our organization has had. Staff were so engaged and came away energized and excited rather than tired and drained."

T. Etienne

Portal Youth Outreach Association

"

CTRI is a great source for learning. They were easy to work with and our facilitator presented in an engaging and interactive way that kept people interested and attentive."

J. Grimes

Optimism Place Women's Shelter and Support Services

Why should I learn more about this topic?

- Understanding how substances and mental health symptoms affect cognition will help you interpret behaviour accurately and adjust your communication, rather than reacting to it personally.
- You'll learn to recognize your own stress responses so you can stay grounded, think clearly, and make safer decisions under pressure.
- Knowing how to assess risk – and when to disengage or ask for help – will give you confidence to prioritize safety and dignity in unpredictable encounters.

This training is for:

Mental health professionals
Social services and community‑based professionals
First responders and emergency services
Health care workers and support staff
School and post‑secondary personnel
Leaders, managers, and supervisors
Human resources and people operations teams
Employees in corporate or business settings
Anyone working in people‑centred or support roles

What does this training cover?

+

This workshop teaches practical strategies for de-escalating situations involving individuals who are intoxicated or experiencing acute mental health symptoms. It covers how impairment affects cognition and behaviour, trauma-informed responses, risk assessment, connection strategies, disengagement, and debriefing.

Who is this training for?

+

This training is well-suited for service providers and front-line staff who interact with individuals experiencing substance use and/or mental health concerns, including those in health care, community settings, and public-facing roles.

How is this different from the De-escalating Potentially Violent Situations workshop?

+

While DPVS teaches a general de-escalation framework, this workshop focuses specifically on situations where substance use or acute mental health symptoms alter a person's cognition – circumstances where standard communication strategies often need to be adapted.

Is this training trauma-informed?

+

Yes. The workshop approaches these interactions through a trauma-informed lens, recognizing that substance use and mental health crises are often connected to histories of trauma that shape how people respond to intervention.

Does this training include physical intervention techniques?

+

No. This workshop focuses on interpersonal strategies – risk assessment, communication, boundaries, and safe disengagement. Physical intervention is not covered.

Is this training available online or privately?

+

Yes. CTRI offers this workshop in live, on-demand, and private formats. Contact us to arrange a session for your organization.

Respond Safely to Impaired States

Gain practical skills to de-escalate situations involving substance use or mental health concerns – with safety, dignity, and confidence. Explore training options or bring this workshop to your organization.

View Upcoming Dates

Available for Private Delivery

Certificate Included

Private Training

Close

Custom Training for Your Team

We can deliver any of our training for your group, on your schedule.

How it works

  • Step 1 — Contact us to discuss your needs and choose a topic.
  • Step 2 — Talk pricing, and we'll work out a detailed proposal.
  • Step 3 — Confirm the details such as the facilitator and training date.

Fill out the form below or give us a call at 1-877-353-3205

Let's get started

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Name(Required)