Educational Activities Archives

Transitioning from jails and prisons back into the community can be especially difficult for people with opioid use disorders (OUD). Research suggests that opioid use overdose increases dramatically within the first 30 days of citizens returning to the community. Further, individuals recently released from incarceration face a risk of opioid overdose ten times greater than the general public. During these transitions it is critical that people receive seamless and appropriate resources in order to prevent overdose and return to use. This proper transition can help lower health care costs, hospitalizations and emergency department visits, as well as decrease mortality and recidivism for justice-involved individuals, yet at this time only 13 states have sought Medicaid waivers to provide SUD services pre-release. Join us today as we explore how programs can successfully develop services to ensure returning citizens receive appropriate care to address OUD.

Developed by AAAP and ASAM, this guideline focuses on the identification, diagnosis, treatment, and promotion of recovery for patients with stimulant use disorder, stimulant intoxication, and stimulant withdrawal.

Opioids are narcotic pain relievers that require a prescription from a healthcare professional. When taken as prescribed for short periods of time under the care of a medical professional, opioids can be a safe and effective pain management tool.

As we enhance our understanding of addiction medicine through research, we strive to improve the treatment outcomes for our patients. Substance Use Disorder (SUD) at its core is an effective combination treatment because although medication is extremely beneficial in the treatment of addictions, for many patients it is not sufficient to maintain recovery because it does not address the behavioral aspects of the disease of addiction. This module provides basic information on 4 Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs) that effectively treat the behavioral aspects of the disease of addiction. This module includes examples of techniques that may be performed during medication management and/or longer counseling visits with patients.

The current opioid and drug overdose crisis continues to have a devastating impact on morbidity and mortality in the United States. With the rise in use of potent synthetic opioids like fentanyl in the drug supply, creating linkages to comprehensive substance use related services is critical. Opioid Treatment Programs (OTP) and the comprehensive care and services they provide play a vital role in addressing this need, yet challenges remain. Despite clear evidence of the benefits of OTP’s, access to OTPs in some parts of the country is limited; stigma related to the use of methadone remains a challenge. Yet in the face of these headwinds, many OTPs are providing comprehensive leading-edge services to address the opioid and drug overdose crisis.

The PAEA ORN-2 Clinical Sites Initiative uses multiple tools to engage PA educators, preceptors, and students about all facets of opioid use disorder (OUD) and substance use disorders (SUD). On July 12, Donna Murray, DMSc, MS, PA-C, clinical training project outreach director for ORN-2 and PAEA senior director of admissions, participated in an open and transparent conversation with Belinda Gillespie, CPSS, peer support specialist, recovery coach, and community health worker with the Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) in Asheville, North Carolina. July is National BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month, so we asked Gillespie to offer her unique perspective as the only peer support of color in the MAHEC System. She was willing to share her story of “lived experience” with substance use disorder, six years and eight months in prison, and now supporting her “Peers” through their own journey of recovery. Belinda has faced her own roadblocks due to inequity with the system of care as it currently exists. However, she continues to strive for success through education, raising awareness, and helping others along their journey. The interview is both powerful and compelling and will provoke new thoughts about the humility and humanity of individuals with a history of OUD/SUD.