Rhode Island: Substance Abuse

Rhode Island: Substance Abuse is organized by ATrain Education, Inc..

Expiration date: Jul 01, 2025

Course Summary:
On July 2, 2018, the Rhode Island Department of Health made regulatory changes to the Rules and Regulations for Pain Management, Opioid Use, and the Registration of Distributors of Controlled Substances in Rhode Island [216-RICR-20-20-4]. These regulations require prescribers to:

• Have a conversation with patients about the risks and benefits of taking an opioid prescription;
• Indicate the diagnosis code(s) on a patient’s opioid prescription; and
• Co-prescribe naloxone to patients who are at a higher risk for opioid overdose. (RI Department of Health, 2018)

This course offers information about the prescription drug abuse crisis, alternatives to opioids for managing and treating pain, best practices for prescribing controlled substances, and drug diversion and safeguards to prevent diversion.

Course Objectives:
When you finish this course you will be able to*:

• State 4 factors that have contributed to the opioid crisis.
• Relate the three classes of most-abused prescription drugs.
• Describe the difference between tolerance, dependence, and addiction.
• State the 3 main guidelines Rhode Island providers must follow when prescribing controlled dangerous substances, including opioids in any schedule.
• List 5 complementary alternatives to opioids for pain management.
• Relate the 5 most common sources of illicit drugs.