Understanding the opioid epidemic through a trauma informed lens

Thursday, August 12, 2021 | 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM ET / 8:00 – 10:00 AM CT | Virtual - WebEx

Overview:

The vast majority of people with Substance Use Disorder have also experienced some type of trauma in their lives. In light of today’s substance use epidemic, and the loss of over 70,000 individuals in 2018, these numbers continue to increase as more and more individuals are exposed to traumatic experiences and loss. Many therapeutic approaches to treating substance use and trauma have focused on one or the other rather than creating an integrative approach to address both trauma and SUD simultaneously.  Research continues to support that treatment is most effective when both can be explored together. A trauma history and current trauma symptoms are associated with relapse to alcohol or other substance use in alcohol dependent women. (Heffner, Blom, & Anthenelli, 2011). This training will help clinicians strengthen their skills in providing trauma-informed treatment to their patients with Substance Use Disorders.  It will explore how increasing their understanding of the effects of both trauma and substance use on the brain and exploring effective methods of helping people heal from trauma, is most beneficial to treatment. Additionally, this training will identify the common symptoms associated with both trauma and SUD and will explore how our ability to respond to someone’s symptoms can help begin the healing process and the road to recovery of both their trauma and their substance use.  Connection is a key component in the recovery process, and this training will explore how to use connection to begin the journey.

Objectives:

  • Understand how the opioid epidemic came about in this country
  • Describe the signs and symptoms of a substance use disorder
  • Outline research evidence for the disease concept of addiction
  • Identify common comorbid conditions and discuss implications for differentiation and reciprocal impact
  • Provide an overview of opioid addiction and the clinical and risk management implications for treatment of individual at high risk for overdose death
  • Explore considerations in application of empirically supported treatment approaches for intervention
  • Examine and select best practice strategies for sustaining treatment engagement and relapse prevention

Recovery Centers of America has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7002. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Recovery Centers of America is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. This course qualifies for 2 credit hours.