The Opioid Epidemic: Searching for Solutions

This course reviews current issues surrounding Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) and can be taken by anyone interested in the topic, but offers continuing education (CE) and continuing medical education (CME) credit for United States healthcare practitioners in nursing, medicine, pharmacy, mental health, dentistry, and more. According to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 3.8 million people (1.4% of those aged 12 or older) reported misusing prescription pain relievers, while another 329,000 reported using heroin. In the same year, 52,404 lethal overdoses occurred, making drug overdose the leading cause of accidental death in the United States. Stancliff et al. estimated that as of 2012, about 80% of people dependent on heroin or prescription opioids were not engaged in any treatment, and many in treatment did not use the most effective medication-assisted treatments available to them. Despite increased awareness of opioid use disorder (OUD) and efforts to improve access to care, several barriers to treatment still exist, including financial, geographic, regulatory, and social factors. In 2012, only 2.2% of physicians in the United States obtained waivers to prescribe buprenorphine for OUD treatment. Of those, 41.6% were psychiatrists, which can be a barrier as patients often resist referrals to psychiatric or addiction clinics due to the stigma surrounding addiction and mental health. Furthermore, physicians with waivers predominantly practiced in urban settings, leaving much of the rural population without access to buprenorphine treatment. This course addresses these needs by discussing the science behind opioid use disorder and reflecting on current statistics related to its impact on the United States. We will explore opioid overdose risks and train participants to recognize key symptoms of an overdose. Steps for using naloxone will be covered, along with guidance on seeking appropriate treatment for maintaining opioid use disorder. Additionally, new buprenorphine products and the potential role of naltrexone in treating this stigmatized population will be examined. Join us to enhance your understanding of OUD, improve your ability to manage overdoses, and stay informed about the latest treatment options. This course aims to equip healthcare professionals with the knowledge needed to address the opioid crisis effectively and compassionately.