OVERVIEW

Substance use disorders are common in both general psychiatric, other mental health, and medical practice. Because clinicians often do not have the knowledge about how to treat these disorders, it is common for clinicians to not screen for them. This often leads to poor outcomes for these patients. This course will review key issues that clinicians need to know about the diagnosis and treatment of patients with alcohol and drug use problems. The course will consist of lecture and frequent audience interaction, including discussion of cases. The course will review diagnosis, pharmacologic and behavioral treatment strategies, treatment of patients with co-occurring psychiatric illness, a review of the common drugs of misuse, including prescription drug misuse, recent drug trends (e.g., the opioid overdose epidemic, the legalization of cannabis for medical and recreational use), and strategies to help family members of those with substance use disorders.

TARGET AUDIENCE

Health professionals in psychiatry, psychology, neurology, medicine, surgery, geriatrics, pediatrics, nursing, social work, and counseling

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Diagnose substance use disorders;
  
• Determine options for abstinence vs. cutting down;  
• Evaluate indications for and use of common substance use disorder medications; 
• Distinguish substance-induced disorders vs. independent psychiatric illness; 
• Refer patients knowledgeably to mutual-help groups such as AA or SMART recovery; 
• Evaluate key properties of the common drugs of misuse; 
• Develop helpful strategies for family members of those with substance use disorders; 
• Develop helpful strategies for patients who want to cut down but whom you think should abstain;
• Analyze models of both psychopharmacological and psychotherapeutic; treatments for patients with substance use disorders and co-occurring psychiatric illness.

ACCREDITATION

PHYSICIAN CREDIT: 

University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine designates these live activities for a maximum of 15 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada recognizes conferences and workshops held outside of Canada that are developed by a university, academy, hospital, specialty society or college as accredited group learning activities.

Through an agreement between the American Medical Association and the European Union of Medical Specialists, physicians may convert AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ to an equivalent number of European CME Credits® (ECMECs®).

PSYCHOLOGIST CREDIT:

The University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine maintains responsibility for this program and its content. 15.00 CE credits will be awarded to psychologists for attendance at these seminars.

NURSE PRACTITIONERS & REGISTERED NURSES CREDIT:

These activities have been submitted to ANA Massachusetts for approval to award contact hours. ANA Massachusetts is accredited as an approver of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

For more information please visit the official event page.