Opioid prescribing has been highly scrutinized in the US over the last 10 yrs. Yet, patients continue to present to primary care with complaints of pain. Opioids remain a cornerstone of treatment. This session will focus on how and when it is appropriate to prescribe opioids in primary care. | 1.50 credits (1.50 Pharmacology) | $40

Nurse Practitioners receive limited formal pharmacology education in their primary training. Understanding the role that sodium and calcium channel blockers, anti-inflammatories and serotonin non-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors can play in the management of chronic and acute pain, will provide confidence and skill to the care of patients with pain. This lecture will focus on safe and effective use of opioid and non-opioid analgesics for acute and chronic pain treatment. It will provide clinicians with the confidence and scientific education needed to effectively provide appropriate pharmaceutical therapies for the treatment of pain. | 1.50 credits (1.50 Pharmacology) | $40

Adolescent substance use has followed familiar trends for several decades with alcohol, nicotine, and cannabis leading other drugs in popularity. After several years of declining nicotine use, primarily via combustible cigarettes, recent data suggests a resurgence of nicotine use, primarily via e-cigarettes as well as a marked increase in cannabis use, likely corresponding with legalization efforts. Additionally, there has been an increase in hallucinogen use and the dangers of opioid use have heightened due to the rise of illicit fentanyl being brought in from outside the United States. This lecture will review the most recent Monitoring the Future study and discuss implications of adolescent substance use trends on healthcare providers. | 1.50 credits (1.50 Pharmacology) | $40

Healthcare providers in the United States are well positioned to recognize substance use in their patients. Providers are also key in taking steps to address issues of substance use before it escalates to abuse. Unfortunately, substance use and abuse in adolescents remains undertreated in the United States. Early intervention in adolescents with substance use/abuse disorders is crucial in averting economic cost in this population group. This presentation will review treatment options for adolescents who present with various types of substance use disorders. Motivators for seeking treatment as well as gender and ethnicity will also be addressed. Barriers to treatment will also be discussed. | 1.50 credits (1.50 Pharmacology) | $40

During the last 20 years, the rules and regulations regarding pain, opioid prescribing and opioid use disorder have changed significantly. Attendees will be taught the latest and most up-to-date information on DEA’s authority and background, licensing, registration, drug diversion, telemedicine, medication assistance treatment, nationwide opioid prescribing guidelines and case studies, along with learning risk mitigation strategies and best practices that will safeguard their practices. The instructor is a former DEA Special Agent with over 30 years of public service with real life prescription opioid experience. | 1.50 credits (1.00 Pharmacology) | $40

This presentation will focus on the class of anxiolytics known as the benzodiazepines. Over the years, prescribers have had a love/hate relationship with these controlled substances. Upon completion of this presentation, participants will learn the benefits and risks related to the safe prescribing of benzodiazepines for individuals with various symptom presentations. The presentation will address the risks and cautions related to the prescribing of benzodiazepines with various medications, including the opioids and stimulants and in various healthcare settings. Participants also will receive tips to identify the warning signs of benzodiazepine abuse and techniques to safely taper and discontinue these medications to minimize the discomfort of withdrawal. | 1.5 credits (1.50 Pharmacology) | $40