Polysubstance Use Disorder: Looking Beyond the Opioid Crisis

Course overview

Medical professionals play a central role in the early detection and intervention of polysubstance abuse in their patients. Physicians often overlook signs of polysubstance use and miss the connection between opioids and multi substance abuse. In todays world, with multi substance addiction occurring alongside the opioid crisis in America, there is a need for extended training in substance use and abuse recognition for dental professionals. The convergence of polysubstance and opioid epidemics is a major public health concern. The United States is in what experts call the opioid epidemics fourth wave, which involves using multiple substances at the same time, often combining fentanyl or other opioid drugs with methamphetamine or cocaine. Most fentanyl positive urine samples, nearly 93 percent, contain additional substances. A major concern is the increase in combining meth and xylazine, an animal tranquilizer, with fentanyl. This combination makes treatment more difficult and increases the risk of overdose and death. Additional training will provide healthcare professionals with tools to better support their patients overall health and well being. This course will help identify signs and symptoms of polysubstance use, support early detection, and suggest actions and referrals for patients with multi substance addiction.