Opioid Abuse, Addiction, and Treatment (4 CE)
Course Level: Beginner, Intermediate
This Course Is For: Social Workers, Counselors, and Marriage & Family Therapists
Course Developed By: Jennifer Kolb, LCSW
Bio: Jennifer Kolb, LCSW; Social Work Consultant, reviewed and determined the course meets requirements for continuing education in the field of social work. This course is appropriate for masters and clinical level social workers. Jennifer graduated with a Master’s degree in Social Work with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Louisville, Kentucky. She specializes in school-based psychotherapy with children and adolescents, as well as licensing exam coaching and preparation.
Content By: Gerry Grossman, M.A., LMFT, Jorid Nygard, M.A., LMFT, Ana Treves, M.S.W., LCSW, Kat Foley, M.A., MPH
Course Description: Opioid use has surpassed heroin as the leading cause of overdose deaths in the United States. As a result, it is incumbent for a mental health practitioner to be able to recognize the signs of opioid abuse and addiction and know how to address these conditions in their clients. This text provides the reader with a clear description of how opioids function, their history and rise to prominence in American society, their effects on human biology, and the possible methods by which a mental health provider can assist a client and their families grappling with opioid abuse and addiction. The text covers DSM-5 criteria, and the indicators of tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal. Also addressed is the topic of opioid users and their involvement in the criminal justice system, which includes prisons and jails, court-referred drug treatment programs, and mental health courts.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the origins of the opioid epidemic and the current public health consequences related to opioid abuse.
- Identify common opioids and the physical and neurological effects that their use has on the human body.
- Distinguish between different types of opioid-related diagnoses and understand the criteria for each diagnosis.
- Utilize assessment techniques and identify screening instruments for opioid abuse.
- Apply different treatment modalities, including implementing therapeutic approaches and providing appropriate referrals.
Approvals:
Board Approvals | American Psychological Association (APA), Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB), NBCC, Florida Board - Social Work, MFT, Counseling, and Psychology, NYSED - Social Work, MFT and Counseling Only, American Academy of Health Care Providers in the Addictive Disorders |
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CE Format | Online, Text-Based |