This 8-hour training on opioid and other substance use disorders satisfies the new Drug Enforcement Administration training requirement for prescribers.   

Opioid medications are very powerful pain killers, that carry a significant addiction risk. Our nation faces a crisis of overdose deaths from opioids, including heroin, illicit fentanyl, and prescription opioids.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 100,000 people died of drug overdoses in the United States during the 12-month period May 2020 to April 2021, reflecting a new record high.  These deaths represent a mere fraction of the total number of Americans harmed by opioid misuse and addiction. Many Americans now suffer daily from a chronic medical illness called “opioid addiction” or opioid use disorder (OUD). Healthcare professionals, treatment providers, and policymakers have a responsibility to expand access to evidence-based, effective care for people with OUD. 

Prescription opioids have been suggested to be an important gateway drug. In fact, opioids should not be first-line treatment for chronic pain, acute mild to moderate pain and dental pain. Health care providers should first consider nonopioid pain relievers or nonpharmacological options.   

To mitigate this explosion of opioid-associated morbidity and mortality, Paul Langlois APN, PhD, CCRN, CCNS, presents this training requirement for all DEA-registered practitioners on the treatment and management of patients with opioid and substance use disorder.  Treatment of OUD in specialty populations will be highlighted: pregnant women, adolescents, incarcerated personnel and patients with persistent cancer-related pain.  Numerous case studies will be used throughout this presentation to solidify the learning experience.  Discover conscientious ways to address patient’s pain, while lowering the risk for addiction!