Substance Use Stigma for Healthcare Professionals

Healthcare professionals are in a unique position to recognize and intervene in substance use disorder (SUD). However, many often receive limited training about substance misuse and may feel unprepared to work with this problem, despite the prevalence of SUDs. They may even hold stigmatized beliefs against patients struggling with SUD--such as that they are dangerous, unwilling to receive help, or morally deficient--and these beliefs can impact quality of care.The purpose of this course is to help health professionals increase their competence and self-efficacy in effectively engaging patients who may be struggling with SUD. Participants will learn to identify characteristics of SUD, as defined by the DSM-V, as well as risk and protective factors associated with substance misuse. The prevalence of co-occurring disorders and the importance of screening will be discussed. Moreover, stigma against SUD and its impact on patient help-seeking and quality of care will be addressed, and learners will examine their own beliefs and attitudes toward substance misuse. Finally, learners will apply guidelines for strengths-based, person-first language practices to use when communicating with patients.At course completion, learners should be aware of their professional attitudes and beliefs about SUD and feel more knowledgeable and competent when engaging patients who may be experiencing this disorder.In this course you will learn how to:Define the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders (5th edition) or DSM-V criteria for substance use disorder (SUD).Explain the various risk and protective factors associated with SUD and the importance of screening.Relate the impact of stigma on patient help-seeking and provider care.Distinguish professional beliefs and attitudes toward patients with SUD.Apply strengths-based, person-first language when engaging patients with SUD.
Schedule: Every day, starting on 03/13/26 and ending on 12/18/26
Times: 08:45am-05:00pm CDT
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Location: 42 Online session available to start anytime!

Tuscaloosa, AL
Session ID: CSRG-2603-VITSTI-01
standard : $0.00