Drug Addiction Bundle (9 CE)

Course Level: Beginner, Intermediate

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.

Preventing the Use of Marijuana: Focus on Women and Pregnancy: The prevention of marijuana use among pregnant women is essential for mitigating risk and adverse health consequences that may arise during pregnancy for the expectant mother and her developing offspring. The clinical presentation of such use is often-times complex.  Frequently, there are additional factors inclusive of co-occurring substance use, stress, age, mental health, and poor prenatal care that may have the concomitant effect of complicating the clinical approach to care. Moreover, these factors are resultant in the same pregnancy outcomes that are evidenced with sole marijuana use, sans the additional complicating factors. Empirically supported practices and strategies for substance use prevention when working with this population are also considered in this course.

Course Objectives:

1. Identify risk factors associated with marijuana use during pregnancy for both the expectant mother and her offspring, as well as the risks associated with postpartum marijuana use
2. Assess research findings pertaining to the prevention of substance misuse (including alcohol and tobacco) among pregnant and postpartum women
3. Recognize demographic-specific factors that are linked to marijuana use outcomes
4. Describe the core elements and outcomes of 6 programs that use evidence-based practices to prevent substance use by pregnant and postpartum women
5. List key considerations of empirically supported prevention practices and related programmatic implementation
6. Determine proper guidelines for selecting, implementing, and evaluating marijuana use prevention programs among pregnant women, postpartum women, and women of child-bearing age

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Opioid Abuse, Addiction, and Treatment: 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:

1. Describe the origins of the opioid epidemic and the current public health consequences related to opioid abuse.
2. Identify common opioids and the physical and neurological effects that their use has on the human body.
3. Distinguish between different types of opioid-related diagnoses and understand the criteria for each diagnosis.
4. Utilize assessment techniques and identify screening instruments for opioid abuse.
5. Apply different treatment modalities, including implementing therapeutic approaches and providing appropriate referrals.

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Marijuana, Heroin, and Cocaine (Research Report Series):  The National Institute on Drug Abuse has developed this series of publications to provide an overview of commonly abused drugs and their consequences as well as treatment options available for those struggling with addiction. This course specifically focuses on marijuana, heroin, and cocaine use.

Learning Objectives:

1. Summarize the research on the effects of marijuana use and available treatments
2. Summarize the research on the effects of heroin use and available treatments
3. Summarize the research on the effects of cocaine use and available treatments

Course Format:

Course materials can be downloaded or read online. To receive a certificate of completion, you must complete an online multiple-choice post-test with a score of 75% or better and complete an online course evaluation. 

Approvals: