NYS Controlled Substances, Part 2: Recognizing Signs and Symptoms of Opioid Addiction, Misuse, and Abuse

Course overview

Prescription opioids are potent analgesics; due to potential for misuse and abuse, they should be reserved for pain that is refractory to nonopioid modalities. Prescribed opioid misuse and abuse can lead to serious consequences such as addiction and overdose. The development and rise of opioid use disorder in the United States has significantly contributed to the current opioid epidemic plaguing the country. Understanding the signs of abuse of medications such as opioids is important to safe prescribing of controlled substances. This module will teach healthcare providers about substance use disorder and how to identify signs and symptoms of misuse and abuse while also guiding the clinician in practicing safe and effective pain management.