Overdose: Pain Pills, Heroin, Fentanyl and Beyond, 2nd Edition
About the Course
The opioid epidemic is a major public health crisis affecting Americans at alarming rates. In 2020, an estimated 2.7 million people aged 12 or older in the United States had an opioid use disorder (OUD) within the past 12 months, including 2.3 million people with a prescription OUD (National Institute on Drug Abuse [NIDA], 2021). The number of drug overdose deaths has continued to rise, with over 107,000 deaths reported in 2021 (NIDA, 2024). This course will focus on opioid addiction and overdose, with close attention paid to the trends of both prescription and street drug abuse. In this course, the healthcare professional will learn about the pharmacology of opioids, risk factors for opioid addiction, and individual and community consequences of addiction. Additionally, the provider will become familiar with the levels of prevention theory and how to effectively prevent, screen, treat, and reduce harm from opioid addiction.
Learning Outcomes
Upon the completion of this course, the learner will be able to:
- Discuss the epidemiology of the opioid crisis and efforts to address this epidemic.
- Describe risk factors including early childhood experiences, the concept of neuroadaptation, and the long-term effects of opioid use on the brain.
- Describe the basic pharmacological process of opioids and differentiate between opioid agonists, partial agonists, and antagonists.
- Distinguish between opioid tolerance, physical dependence, addiction, and opioid withdrawal symptoms.
- Identify immediate and long-term impacts of addiction and overdose.
- Examine the role of healthcare professionals in understanding the causes of the opioid crisis along with current and proposed solutions and prevention strategies.
About the Author/Presenter
Amanda Guarniere, MSN, NP-C, WHNP-BC, is a nurse practitioner living and practicing in Redding, Connecticut. Amanda graduated in 2011 from Yale School of Nursing, where she completed a master’s degree specializing in both adult and women’s health. The majority of Amanda’s clinical experience has been in the field of emergency medicine. Prior to working in emergency medicine, Amanda worked in the pain management specialty with a physician committed to reducing the excessive use of opioids for chronic pain. Amanda came to the medical field from a background in the arts, obtaining a dual degree in violin performance and Italian literary studies from the University of Connecticut in 2008. She is a proud mother to three young daughters.
How to Receive Credit
- Read the entire course online or in print which requires a 2-hour commitment of time.
- After completion of the course, complete the final examination. A passing grade of 75% is required. Test questions link content to learning outcomes as a method to enhance individualized learning and material retention.
- Provide required personal information and payment information.
- Complete the mandatory course evaluation.
- Print your Certificate of Completion.
If you require special accommodations, please contact Colibri Healthcare Support by visiting our Contact Us page. (https://www.elitelearning.com/contact-us/)
Identification, Mitigation, and Disclosure of Relevant Financial Relationships
Planners, faculty, and others in control of content (either individually or as a group) have no relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.
Sponsorship/Commercial Support and Non-Endorsement
It is the policy of Colibri not to accept commercial support. Furthermore, commercial interests are prohibited from distributing or providing access to this activity to learners.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical judgment of a healthcare provider relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition.
©2024: All Rights Reserved. Materials may not be reproduced without the expressed written permission or consent of Colibri Healthcare, LLC. The materials presented in this course are meant to provide the consumer with general information on the topics covered. The information provided was prepared by professionals with practical knowledge of the areas covered. It is not meant to provide medical, legal, or professional advice. Colibri Healthcare, LLC recommends that you consult a medical, legal, or professional services expert licensed in your state. Colibri Healthcare, LLC has made all reasonable efforts to ensure that all content provided in this course is accurate and up to date at the time of printing but does not represent or warrant that it will apply to your situation nor circumstances and assumes no liability from reliance on these materials. Quotes are collected from customer feedback surveys. The models are intended to be representative and not actual customers.
Accreditations and Approvals
Colibri Healthcare, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6341. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Colibri Healthcare, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
Colibri Healthcare, LLC (formerly Elite Professional Education, LLC), Provider Number 1147, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 5/5/2023 - 5/5/2026.