Addiction, Substance Use Disorder & Harm Reduction

Mondays 8:00 – 9:00AM

Twenty-eight percent of individuals in Illinois age 18 years and older reported binge alcohol use in the prior month (NSDUH, 2022-23). Additionally, 20% percent reported tobacco product use, and 18% reported marijuana use in the prior month. Twelve percent of adults reported having alcohol use disorder in the prior year and 18% had a substance use disorder in the prior year, including 2% that had an opioid use disorder. In 2023, there were 2,855 fatal opioid overdoses and another 13,389 non-fatal overdoses (IDPH, 2023). While there is a great need for substance use treatment, many do not receive it. Among Illinois adults that were classified as needing substance use treatment in the prior year, 80% reported not receiving any (NSDUH, 2022-23). Integration of addiction pharmacotherapy and recovery coaching in primary care has been shown to reduce hospital days and emergency department visits for individuals with substance use disorders (Wakeman et al, 2019).  Findings from an ECHO program in New Mexico also suggest that telementoring can expand substance use treatment capacity in rural areas.  They were able to use their ECHO telemonitoring program as a way to recruit physicians to participate in DATA-2000 buprenorphine waiver trainings, significantly growing the number of waivered physicians in their state (Komaromy et al, 2016). Through this series, we will improve access to evidence-based substance use disorder care for vulnerable populations served by community health centers in Illinois.

Topics for Case-Based Learning and Discussion Include:

• Fundamentals of Substance Use Disorder Diagnosis
• Treatment planning & Assessment
• Motivational Interviewing & Communication Skills, Non-Stigmatizing Language for Substance Use Disorder
• Opioid Use Disorder – Fundamentals of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and the opioid crisis
• Alcohol Use Disorder
• Stimulants – Cocaine & Methamphetamines
• Chronic Pain, Acute Pain/Perioperative
• Psychosocial Support – Recovery Coaches, Mutual Help, Therapy, 12-Step Programs
• Co-occurring Mental Health Conditions
• Long Terms Relations & Relapse