SUD 101 Core Curriculum (2023)

PCSS-MOUD clinical experts Michelle Lofwall, MD, Larissa Mooney, MD, and Kenneth Morford, MD, who have extensive training and knowledge in addictions, led a team of multidisciplinary professionals in a substantial overhaul of the Substance Use Disorder 101 Core Curriculum for Healthcare Professionals. The modules in this 2023 curriculum provide an overview of evidence-based practices in the prevention, identification, and treatment of substance use disorders and co-occurring medical and psychiatric conditions for a variety of populations. Healthcare professionals who complete this curriculum should see an increase in their competence and confidence as they treat patients who are diagnosed with a substance use disorder.

While healthcare professionals are often on the front lines of treating substance use disorders, most have limited (if any) training in this area. The curriculum was created to provide a foundation of the current research, resources, and support needed to increase healthcare professionals’ capabilities to treat their patients across the continuum of care.

This curriculum is designed for physicians, nurse practitioners or other advance practice nurses, PAs, pharmacists, and the healthcare team. Each stand-alone module is available at no cost and includes:

  • One 30-to-60-minute virtual presentation, with option of close captioning.
  • 1 pre and 3 post reflection evaluation questions.
  • A certificate following each completed module with continuing education ranging from 0.75 to 1.25 credits.
  • Choice of available CE Credit types: AMA PRA Category 1 Creditâ„¢, AAPA Category 1 CME, Nursing Contact Hours, Pharmacy CE Credit, Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) Credit.

Please email us with any questions.

Opioid Response NetworkFunding for Closed Captioning was made possible (in part) by the Opioid Response Network. Grant no. 1H79TI083343-03 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Course Listing

Principles of Motivational Interviewing: Useful for Primary Care Providers

Target Audience(s):
Interprofessional Teams, Nurses, PAs, Pharmacists, Physicians, Students and Educators
Topic(s):
Co-Occurring Addiction / Psychiatric, Brief Intervention, Collaborative Care Motivation Enhancement, Competencies, Education Addiction Psychiatry / Addiction Medicine, Faculty Development, Psychotherapeutic, Recovery Maintenance, Relapse Prevention, Screening and Assessment ...
Organizer(s):
American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry
Presenter(s):
Joji Suzuki, MD, Director, Division of Addiction Psychiatry, Brigham and Women’s Hospital; Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School; Member, Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers
Credit Available:
CE Credit(s): Yes
Designations: AMA PRA Category 1 Creditâ„¢, AAPA Category 1 CME, Nursing Contact Hours, Pharmacy CE Credit, Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) Credit
Motivational interviewing (MI) has emerged as one of the most critical evidence-based approaches when working with patients to promote behavior change. Originally developed in the context of treating substance use disorders, MI is a collaborative method of communication that pays particular attention to the language of change. MI helps to strengthen intrinsic motivation for change by exploring the patient’s own reasons for change within an atmosphere of acceptance, partnership, evocation and compassion. This educational activity will introduce key MI principles, including the four processes, the spirit of MI, patient-centered communications skills, and the importance of evoking change talk.
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Mutual-Help and Related Clinical Interventions

Target Audience(s):
Interprofessional Teams, Nurses, PAs, Pharmacists, Physicians, Students and Educators
Topic(s):
Recovery Maintenance, 12 Step Programs, Access / Disparities, Chronic Disease Model, Continuum of Care, COVID Pandemic, Mutual Supports, Relapse Prevention, SMART Recovery, SUD Core Curriculum ...
Organizer(s):
American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry
Presenter(s):
John F. Kelly, PhD, Elizabeth R. Spallin Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School; Director, MGH Recovery Research Institute
Credit Available:
CE Credit(s): Yes
Designations: AMA PRA Category 1 Creditâ„¢, AAPA Category 1 CME, Nursing Contact Hours, Pharmacy CE Credit, Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) Credit
Mutual-help organizations (MHOs) such as Alcoholic Anonymous, SMART Recovery, LifeRing and many others, are ubiquitous across the United States and are found in small, medium, and large cities. They can be a valuable addition to treatment plans and extend the reach of the clinician by providing their patients with ongoing paths to recovery via crucial sober social support that has been found to confer valuable relapse prevention skills. This presentation provides education about the origin, types, scope, and theoretical orientation of a variety of MHOs, including new evidence for their clinical and public health utility, as well as evidence on why they are so helpful. Examples of proven clinical strategies to enhance involvement with MHOs during and following treatment will be provided including for those patients taking medications.
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Medical Considerations for Patients with Opioid Use Disorder

Target Audience(s):
Interprofessional Teams, Nurses, PAs, Pharmacists, Physicians, Students and Educators
Topic(s):
Co-Occurring Addiction / Medical Disorders, Cardiovascular, Ethics, General Medical Comorbidities, Hepatic, Infectious Disease, Stigma, SUD Core Curriculum ...
Organizer(s):
American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry
Presenter(s):
Jeanette M. Tetrault, MD, FACP, FASAM, Professor of Medicine and Public Health, Yale School of Medicine
Credit Available:
CE Credit(s): Yes
Designations: AMA PRA Category 1 Creditâ„¢, AAPA Category 1 CME, Nursing Contact Hours, Pharmacy CE Credit, Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) Credit
This module reviews features of skin and soft tissue infections among people who inject drugs, reviews risk factors for Hepatitis C (HCV) and HIV, describes prevention interventions for HCV and HIV, and discusses treatment approaches for HCV and HIV in patients with opioid use disorder.
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Primary Care Management of Co-Occurring Psychiatric Disorders in Those with Substance Use Disorders

Target Audience(s):
Interprofessional Teams, Nurses, PAs, Pharmacists, Physicians, Students and Educators
Topic(s):
Co-Occurring Addiction / Medical Disorders, ADHD, Anxiety Disorders, Assessment, Basic Science, Co-Occurring Addiction / Psychiatric, DSM-5, Emergency Setting, Epidemiology, General Medical Comorbidities ...
Organizer(s):
American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry
Presenter(s):
John A. Renner, Jr., MD; and Kevin Sevarino MD, PhD
Credit Available:
CE Credit(s): Yes
Designations: AMA PRA Category 1 Creditâ„¢, AAPA Category 1 CME, Nursing Contact Hours, Pharmacy CE Credit, Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) Credit
Co-occurring psychiatric conditions are frequently seen in patients with substance use disorders. Clinicians should be alert to the signs and symptoms of common psychiatric disorders and should understand how to distinguish independent psychiatric disorders from substance-induced disorders. Depressive disorders and anxiety disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder, are the most common co-occurring conditions, though ADHD is often encountered across the range of substance use disorders. Substance use disorder patients with co-occurring psychiatric disorders will respond to most standard psychological and pharmacological treatments for these psychiatric conditions, though clinicians should avoid the use of scheduled medications and must always focus on sobriety as a primary treatment goal. Treatment that integrates addiction and psychiatric care is the most effective.
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Adolescent Substance Use

Target Audience(s):
Interprofessional Teams, Nurses, PAs, Pharmacists, Physicians, Students and Educators
Topic(s):
Basic Science, Adolescents, Alcohol, Alcohol, Developmental Risks, Epidemiology, Neurobiology of Addiction, Nicotine, Pediatrics / Adolescent, Pediatrics / Neonate ...
Organizer(s):
American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry
Presenter(s):
Sharon Levy, MD, MPH, Director, Adolescent Substance use and Addiction Program
Credit Available:
CE Credit(s): Yes
Designations: AMA PRA Category 1 Creditâ„¢, AAPA Category 1 CME, Nursing Contact Hours, Pharmacy CE Credit, Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) Credit
Brain development during adolescence makes youth particularly vulnerable to both initiating substance use and developing substance use disorders (SUD). Alcohol and cannabis use are both common and the impacts of these substances on the developing brain leads to a predictable set of consequences. Primary and secondary prevention and treatment can all improve outcomes. This module discusses Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) to identify and address substance use, and the medical management of SUD treatment in primary care.
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Substance Use Disorders in Older Adults

Target Audience(s):
Interprofessional Teams, Nurses, PAs, Pharmacists, Physicians, Students and Educators
Topic(s):
Co-Occurring Addiction / Medical Disorders, 12 Step Programs, Acamprosate, Alcohol, Alcohol, Alcohol, Antagonist, Assessment, Benzodiazepines, Buprenorphine ...
Organizer(s):
American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry
Presenter(s):
Louis A. Trevisan, MD, MEd, Associate Professor, Adjunct, Yale University School of Medicine
Credit Available:
CE Credit(s): Yes
Designations: AMA PRA Category 1 Creditâ„¢, AAPA Category 1 CME, Nursing Contact Hours, Pharmacy CE Credit, Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) Credit
Substance Use disorders in Older Adults is a growing problem not only in the United States but throughout the developed world. The Baby Boomer generation, born between 1946 and 1964 is turning 58-76 years old this year. This group is presenting with more Substance Use Disorders and need for substance use treatment now. The use of an artificial cut off age of 65 years of age as the definition of elderly or old is somewhat arbitrary and this will be discussed. The module will look at the prevalence, screening and treatment of tobacco, alcohol, opioids, non-medical use of prescription drugs and illicit opioids as well as stimulants and cocaine, marijuana and non-opioid sedative hypnotic agents. A case vignette will drive the CME portion and elucidate the tenants of the module.
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Treating Pregnant People for Opioid Use Disorder: Clinical Challenges

Target Audience(s):
Interprofessional Teams, Nurses, PAs, Pharmacists, Physicians, Students and Educators
Topic(s):
Basic Science, Adverse Childhood Experience (ACEs), Alcohol, Alcohol, Breast Feeding, Cannabis, CARA, Co-Occurring Addiction / Medical Disorders, Developmental Risks, Discrimination ...
Organizer(s):
American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry
Presenter(s):
Hendrée E Jones, PhD, Division and Executive Director, UNC Horizons, Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina
Credit Available:
CE Credit(s): Yes
Designations: AMA PRA Category 1 Creditâ„¢, AAPA Category 1 CME, Nursing Contact Hours, Pharmacy CE Credit, Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) Credit
Opioid use disorder (OUD) among women and people who become pregnant is increasing in prevalence in clinical settings. The standard of care is to provide buprenorphine or methadone as a part of a complete treatment approach during pregnancy and beyond the postpartum period. This module reviews the historical and current context of opioid use among women and birthing people during pregnancy. It compares pharmacological treatment options for women and people who become pregnant with an OUD and also discusses the issues with detoxification or medically assisted withdrawal from opioids during pregnancy. Issues related to the treatment of OUD during pregnancy and in the postpartum period for the birthing person, fetus and child will also be discussed (e.g., induction, dosing, pain management, neonatal withdrawal and how to reduce its severity).
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Adam Bisaga, MD, 2018 Steering Committee Meeting

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