Substance Abuse In and Out Of Clinical Settings

Course overview

Malibu CEU Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider #18091, for 5 contact hours. Substance use and addiction are not limited to the general public they impact patients, providers, and entire care systems. This course equips nurses and APRNs with a clinical and ethical framework to recognize, prevent, and intervene in substance abuse across both patient populations and healthcare settings. The course emphasizes current evidence-based strategies for screening, patient communication, opioid safety, nonjudgmental care delivery, and professional responsibility when substance abuse appears within the clinical workforce. Nurses and advanced practice providers will explore the latest addiction science, the impact of stigma and systemic bias, the clinical management of common substances (including opioids, alcohol, stimulants, and sedatives), and how to navigate ethical dilemmas such as colleague impairment, patient deception, or dual diagnosis. The course also integrates harm reduction strategies, treatment options, diversion prevention, and culturally responsive care.