Cannabis Use Disorder in Whole-Person Care: An Integrated Approach to Screening and Treatment

What you'll learn

Course overview

The clinical approach to Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) is undergoing a critical shift, moving from a narrow, often stigmatizing, model to a comprehensive, patient-centered paradigm that addresses the root causes of the condition. Mastering this modern approach requires a nuanced understanding of the interplay between a patient's neurobiology, somatic function, and psychosocial context. This educational activity provides an in-depth exploration of the holistic framework for managing CUD, from applying the Four Tenets of Medicine to mastering patient-centered communication and hands-on treatment strategies. Furthermore, it details actionable approaches for building an integrated, interdisciplinary care plan, equipping physicians with the advanced skills needed to move beyond symptom management and significantly improve patient function and quality of life. For many physicians, a significant gap exists between a foundational understanding of addiction and the ability to integrate principles, patient-coaching techniques, and evidence-based interventions into daily care. This can lead to missed opportunities for early screening and an over-reliance on a purely pharmacological or behavioral approach, which may not address the underlying drivers of CUD, such as somatic dysfunction, chronic pain, or autonomic dysregulation. This course closes that practice gap by providing the in-depth clinical knowledge and communication skills required to expertly address the structural.