Educational Activities Archives

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.

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).

This presentation explores how pharmacists and social workers can work together to expand access to medications for opioid use disorder by transforming interprofessional collaboration and creating hubs of care.

Explore the Stages of Change Model and its usefulness in identifying and overcoming barriers to optimal access for opioid use disorder (OUD) services. Attendees will hear from a leading expert with over 25 years of experience in the health and wellness field.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, in 2019, only 10% of adults in the U.S with any substance use disorder (SUD) received treatment in part because effective evidence-based treatments for SUDs can be difficult to access in many communities.  CCBHCs help address this issue, delivering easily accessible and effective outpatient behavioral health care and SUD treatment through activities including expanded operating hours, same-day and walk-in appointments, outreach to sidelined populations and moving service delivery beyond clinic walls to reach people in their homes and in the community.

Over 2.5 million adults in the U.S. are diagnosed with OUD. In 2022, 12.7% of ED visits involved opioids. Yet only 25% of those who need treatment receive recommended MOUD. MOUDs are highly effective treatments that have been shown to decrease opioid use, cravings and transmission of infectious disease, and to increase retention in treatment. As the opioid epidemic continues to impact people across the U.S., the ED represents a critical access point to the health care system, supporting people with OUD by initiating MOUD, such as buprenorphine, and connecting them to low-threshold, easy-to-access care for continued treatment.