Activity Description

This session provides healthcare professionals with an in-depth understanding of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) and effective strategies for its treatment. Beginning with an overview of OUD and its importance in clinical practice, the session explores the prevalence, risk factors, and diagnostic indicators of the disorder. Participants will learn about evidence-based treatment approaches, including Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) options, behavioral therapies, and holistic care. Additionally, the session addresses the common challenges faced in treating OUD—such as stigma, limited resources, and healthcare access barriers—and offers strategies to improve patient access and outcomes. The session concludes with actionable insights and resources for further education and provider support.

Target Audience

Physicians and other healthcare professionals

Goals and Objectives

Upon completion, learners will be able to:

• Define Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) and recognize the importance of addressing it in clinical practice. Participants will be able to describe the epidemiology, prevalence, and key risk factors associated with OUD, as well as identify signs and symptoms in patients, enabling them to better assess and address OUD in a clinical setting.
• Explain evidence-based treatment options for OUD, including Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), behavioral therapies, and holistic care approaches. Participants will gain knowledge of the mechanisms, indications, and limitations of medications used in MAT (such as methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone) and understand the role of behavioral therapies like CBT, contingency management, and motivational interviewing in supporting recovery.
• Identify and discuss challenges and barriers to OUD treatment, and develop strategies for improving patient access to care. Participants will understand the impact of stigma, resource limitations, and healthcare navigation issues on OUD treatment access. They will learn strategies to overcome these barriers and provide comprehensive, interdisciplinary care to individuals with OUD and other substance use disorders.

References and Resources

1. Volkow, N. D., & Blanco, C. (2021). The changing opioid crisis: Development, challenges and opportunities. Molecular Psychiatry, 26(1), 218–233. doi:10.1038/s41380-020-0661-4
2. Wakeman, S. E., Barnett, M. L., & Carroll, J. K. (2020). Comparative effectiveness of different treatment pathways for opioid use disorder. JAMA Network Open, 3(2), e1920622. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.20622
3. Scholl, L., Seth, P., Kariisa, M., Wilson, N., & Baldwin, G. (2022). Drug and opioid-involved overdose deaths—United States, 2017–2021. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), 71(2), 282–287. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm7128.

Faculty Bio

Karen Drexler, MD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Emory University School of Medicine. Her research focus includes understanding the neural correlates of emotions, impulsivity, and psychoactive substance craving in addictive disorders; testing novel medications and treatments for substance use disorders; education in treatment of addiction; and health service delivery for treatment of addictions.

Faculty Disclosure

Dr. Drexler has disclosed no financial relationships as of 2024.

Course Information

CME Release Date: November 20, 2024
Valid for credit through: November 19, 2025
Course type: Enduring Material
Estimated time of completion: 1 hour
Maximum number of attempts: 3
Passing Score: 70%

Credits Available

Southern Medical Association is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Southern Medical Association designates this Enduring Material activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

System Requirements and Instructions for Participation and Credit

System Requirements

• Learners must have Adobe Reader installed in order to view course content.
• The website is supported by the latest versions of most modern web browsers. In order to experience the website fully, please upgrade to the latest version of one of the following browsers: Google Chrome (recommended), Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Apple Mobile Safari.
• JavaScript must be enabled. JavaScript should be enabled by default in your browser, but if not then please consult your browser's Help section for information on how to change this setting. Upgrade your browser to a version that supports JavaScript 1.2 or higher (see browser list above).
• Connection Speed Requirements - DSL or faster

Instructions for Participation and Credit

This activity is designed to be completed within the time designated; learners should claim only those credits that reflect the time actually spent in the activity. 

To successfully earn credit, participants must complete the activity online during the valid credit period noted, following these steps:

• Read the goals and objectives, accreditation information, and author disclosures.
• Login in below to study the educational content and references.
• Complete the evaluation and quiz.

Upon successful completion of these components, your certificate will be processed and emailed from customerservice@sma.org. Credits will be archived for 6 years; at any point within this time period you may login to your account to print a duplicate copy of your certificate.