There have been significant advances in the field of addiction and recovery over the years. Most recently, emphasis has been placed on the impact and ultimate changes that occur in a person’s brain as a result of addictive use. These changes have spurred an increase in the prescribing, dispensing and administering of medications to assist in the recovery process and to correct much of the resulting neurophysiological changes. This has been especially important in addressing the devasting impact of the current opioid epidemic that has made its way across America, with significant impact in southern New England.
This course will provide an overview of the neurophysiological changes in the brain resulting from the abuse of opioids, alcohol and other substances, and will address the rationale for the use of corrective medications to enhance treatment and recovery efforts.
Educational Objectives (please be specific):
• Participants will:
• State 3 or more of the current Substance Use Statistics
• identify existing attitudes and beliefs regarding the use of medication to assist in substance use disorder (SUDO) recovery efforts
• identify three areas of the brain that are impacted by drugs of abuse
• state no fewer than three reasons for the use of medication to assist in the recovery from SUDO
• Identify the complexities associated with co-occurring disorders including medication interaction concerns
• identify no fewer than three medications currently being researched and/or used in the treatment of SUDO