Training Menu

Introduces addiction as a chronic brain disease and draws correlation with other chronic disease currently treated in healthcare system.  Reviews basic pathways of addiction.

Explores health-related stigma of addiction.  Discusses how stigma impacts access to healthcare, quality of care, and patient outcomes.  Discusses impact on workplace environment and culture.  Reviews strategies to reduce stigma in healthcare organizations.

Overview of evidence and outcomes based science that supports the treatment of addiction, as a chronic illness, in the healthcare setting.  Introduces models currently used in healthcare systems.   Addresses  common challenges and benefits to implementing addiction care services. 

Provides overview of the components of initial assessment and evaluation of patients with substance use disorders.   Reviews the DSM-V criteria used to diagnose substance use disorder. 

Introduces American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Treatment Criteria for Addiction and Substance-Related Conditions.   Discusses the relationship of appropriate Level of Care to a patient/client stabilization, engagement in treatment, and outcomes. 

Reviews  FDA approved medications in the treatment of substance use disorders. Presents evidence and outcomes based science that supports medication as first line treatment & role in prevention of overdose and death in people who use drugs.  Explores myths, attitudes and stigma by healthcare professionals regarding medications used to treat addiction and prevent overdose.

Identifies the principles of withdrawal management. Discusses strategies to provide care and support to patients experiencing withdrawal in the outpatient setting. Explores patient-centered team approach and considerations with limited  access to inpatient withdrawal management (rural areas, limited bed capacity, COVID-19)

Identifies the principles of harm reduction in caring for those with substance use disorders.   Offers practical interventions aimed at increasing safety, reducing risks of overdose/death and  infectious diseases for those who use drugs. Explores harm reduction strategies that can be used by all addiction care team members. 

Provides overview of research and outcomes of nurse-driven interventions to increase screening, brief intervention and referral of substance use disorders. Discusses the role of nurse care manager model for office based opioid treatment. Explores strategies to address organizational barriers to expanding role of nurse as a strategy to expand access and treatment. 

Explores the role of care coordination in improving efficiency, patient retention, patient outcomes and patient satisfaction of care.  Discuss care coordination role in integration, improving team communication and in developing a collaborative approach to addiction care servcies. 

Discusses the role of he Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) data base in treatment.Discuss how the information can be used to identify interventions for those who may be at risk. 

Explores expectations of patient participation in treatment goal development, participation in care and program expectations.  Review low barrier care models and other evidence based care strategies to improve patient progress, retention and outcomes. 

Provides overview of types of testing. Discusses effective use of urine drug testing as a tool used in assessment and treatment monitoring.   Discuss types of testing, clinical value and clinical limitations. 

Discusses the potential of diversion of medications used to treat substance use disorders. Identifies strategies to support  ongoing treatment when diversion may be a risk.