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Module 4: Treating Stimulant Use Disorder

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Agenda

CE Credit Available For

  • Physicians: AMA
  • Nurses: ANCC
  • Nurse Practitioners*
  • Pharmacists: ACPE
  • Physician Assistants (AAPA)
  • Psychologists (APA)
  • Social Workers (ASWB)
  • Dentists (ADA)
  • Interprofessional Continuing Education Credit (IPCE)

Note: All other learners will receive a Certificate of Completion.

*Nurse practitioners can apply for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). AANP will accept AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ from Jointly Accredited Organizations. Nurse practitioners can also apply for credit through their state boards.

Module Overview

Module 4 provides a comprehensive overview of stimulant use disorder, including epidemiology, emerging trends, and the evolving public health impact of substances such as methamphetamine, cocaine, and synthetic stimulants. Participants will gain a strong understanding of stimulant pharmacology and neurobiology, enabling accurate differentiation of intoxication, withdrawal, and chronic effects in clinical settings. The module emphasizes evidence-based screening, diagnostic assessment, and risk stratification to support safe, stigma-free, and context-informed care. Learners will also develop skills in creating patient-centered treatment plans and implementing long-term monitoring and relapse-prevention strategies that promote sustained recovery.

Global Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this course, learners will be able to:

  1. Describe core principles of compassionate, patient-centered addiction care, including the practical application of harm reduction strategies in clinical settings.
  2. Explain key neurobiological mechanisms of substance use disorders and relate these mechanisms to patient behavior, relapse risk, and recovery trajectories.
  3. Select and use basic motivational interviewing techniques and validated screening tools to identify substance use disorders and inform initial clinical decision-making.
  4. Identify and initiate evidence-based pharmacologic and behavioral treatment options for substance use disorders, consistent with the learner’s professional scope of practice.
  5. Demonstrate an understanding of whole-person, team-based care by integrating healthcare, behavioral health, social services, and legal considerations into treatment planning.
  6. Apply practical, recovery-oriented strategies to respond to crises, relapse, and common real-world barriers encountered in early addiction treatment settings.

Module 4 Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this module, learners will be able to:

  1. Describe the epidemiology, emerging trends, and public health impact of stimulant use disorders (including methamphetamine, cocaine, and synthetic stimulants), and identify populations at disproportionate risk, including patterns of polysubstance use and fentanyl co-involvement, to inform early identification and harm-reduction strategies in clinical practice.
  2. Explain the pharmacology and neurobiology of common stimulants (cocaine, methamphetamine, prescription stimulants, and synthetic stimulants) and differentiate acute intoxication, withdrawal, and chronic effects based on clinical presentation, timelines, and neurophysiologic mechanisms in case-based scenarios with ≥90% accuracy.
  3. Apply evidence-based screening, diagnostic, and assessment approaches for stimulant use disorder by selecting and administering validated tools (e.g., DAST-10, ASSIST, CRAFFT, TAPS), using DSM-5 diagnostic criteria appropriately, and interpreting urine toxicology results within clinical context to avoid misdiagnosis and stigma.
  4. Assess and stratify medical, psychiatric, and overdose risk associated with stimulant use—including cardiovascular, neurologic, infectious, and mental health complications—and determine appropriate levels of care, safety planning, and harm-reduction interventions (e.g., naloxone distribution, infectious disease screening, safer use education).
  5. Develop a comprehensive, patient-centered treatment plan for stimulant use disorder that integrates behavioral interventions (e.g., contingency management, CBT, CRA, MI, peer support), addresses co-occurring psychiatric and medical conditions (including ADHD), and incorporates off-label pharmacologic options when clinically indicated with informed consent.
  6. Design and implement longitudinal monitoring and relapse-prevention strategies that include ongoing assessment, patient education, attention to social determinants of health, coordinated multidisciplinary care, ethical and legal considerations (including confidentiality and mandated reporting), and outcome evaluation to support sustained engagement and recovery.

Jeremy Dubin DO

Chief Medical Education Officer
Porch Light Health

Michelle Gomez, PA

Provider
Porch Light Health

Tracy Walls, PA

Provider
Porch Light Health

Karlie Straight, PA

Medical Lead, Infectious Disease Lead, Safety Lead
Porch Light Health

Carmen Pack, MA

Director of Medical Services
Porch Light health
email-icon cpack@plhealth.com

Steve Carleton, MSW

Chief Clinical Officer
Porch Light Health

Ken Davis, PA

Provider
Porch light Health

Katie Fiske, MSW

Counselor
Porch Light Health

Dayna DeHerrera-Smith, MPH

Director of Community Engagement and Development
Porch Light Health

Colleen Weissmann, MD

Medical Director, AMSWS Lead, Lead Liaison, MA Lead
Porch Light Health

Craig Heacock, MD - Contributor

Bernie Birnbaum, MD
UCHealth

Lesley Brooks, MD

Chief of Addiction Medicine
Summit Stone Health

Mark Benn, Psy.D

Provider
Porch light Health

Target Audience

Designed for providers who are relatively new to the field of addiction medicine, such as primary care physicians, clinicians, pharmacists, pharmacist technicians, dentists, nurse practitioners, nurses, physician assistants, psychologists, social workers, behavioral health specialists, and healthcare personnel who see patients at risk for, or with, addiction. 

Financial Support

There is no commercial support associated with this educational activity.

Credit Information

In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by Porch Light Health and CME Outfitters, LLC. CME Outfitters LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Physicians (ACCME)

✓ 2.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™

CME Outfitters, LLC, designates this enduring material for a maximum of 2.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Nurses (ANCC)

✓ 2.5 Contact Hours
This activity is designated for 2.5 contact hours.

Note to Nurse Practitioners

Nurse practitioners can apply for AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). AANP will accept AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM from Jointly Accredited Organizations. Nurse practitioners can also apply for credit through their state boards.

Pharmacists (ACPE)

✓ 2.5 Contact Hours (0.025 CEUs)

This knowledge-based activity is approved for 2.5 contact hours (0.025 CEUs) of continuing pharmacy credit.

Physician Assistants (AAPA)

✓ 2.5 Contact Hours (0.025 CEUs)

CME Outfitters, LLC, has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 2.5 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Approval is valid until February 12, 2028. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.

Psychologists (APA)

✓ 2.5 CE Credits
Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibly for the content of the programs.

Social Workers (ASWB)

✓ 2.5 General CE Credits
As a Jointly Accredited Organization, CME Outfitters, LLC is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. Social workers completing this course receive 2.5 general continuing education credits.

Dental Professionals (ADA CERP)

✓ 2.5 CE Credits

CME Outfitters, LLC is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider. ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry. Concerns or complaints about a CE provider may be directed to the provider or to the Commission for Continuing Education Provider Recognition at ADA.org/CERP. 

CME Outfitters, LLC designates this activity for 2.5 continuing education credits. 

Concerns or complaints about a CE provider may be directed to the provider, or to the Commission for Continuing Education Provider Recognition at ADA.org/CERP.

Interprofessional CE (IPCE)

✓ 2.5 IPCE Credits
This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive 2.5 Interprofessional Continuing Education Credit for learning and change.

Disclosure Declaration

It is the policy of CME Outfitters, LLC, to ensure independence, balance, objectivity, scientific rigor and integrity in all of their CME/CE activities. Faculty must disclose to the participants any relationships with commercial companies whose products or devices may be mentioned in faculty presentations, or with the commercial supporter of this CME/CE activity. CME Outfitters, LLC, has evaluated, identified, and attempted to resolve any potential conflicts of interest through a rigorous content validation procedure, use of evidence-based data/research, and a multidisciplinary peer review process. Relevant financial relationships exist between the following individuals and commercial interests: 

Faculty Disclosures

First Name Last Name Disclosures
Jeremy Dubin DO Nothing to disclose
Karlie Straight, PA Nothing to disclose
Steve Carleton, MSW, CAC Nothing to disclose

Planning Committee Disclosures

First Name Last Name Disclosures
Carmen Pack, MA Nothing to disclose
Colleen Weissmann, MD Nothing to disclose
Dayna DeHerrera-Smith, MPH Nothing to disclose
Elizabeth Dengler Nothing to disclose
Jeremy Dubin, DO Nothing to disclose
Josh Hammond, MD Nothing to disclose
Karissa Gayosso, NP Nothing to disclose
Karlie Straight, PA Nothing to disclose
Kathleen Crislip, FNP Nothing to disclose
Ken Davis, PA Discloses Stock Shareholder (directly purchased): Own shares of Lilly
Mark Benn, Psy.D Nothing to disclose
Megan Foutch, MSW Nothing to disclose
Melissa Lowe, FNP Nothing to disclose
Randy Fox, RN Discloses Former Employee of Indivior, separated 12/31/24
Steve Carleton, MSW, CAC Nothing to disclose
Candice Gillett, MPH Nothing to disclose

Content Reviewer Disclosures

Scott J Hershman, MD, FACEHP, CHCP has nothing to disclose. *All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated.

Unlabeled Use Disclosure

Faculty of this CME/CE activity may include discussions of products or devices that are not currently labeled for use by the FDA. The faculty have been informed of their responsibility to disclose to the audience if they will be discussing off-label or investigational uses (any uses not approved by the FDA) of products or devices. CME Outfitters, LLC, the faculty, and Porch Light Health do not endorse the use of any product outside of the FDA labeled indications. Medical professionals should not utilize the procedures, products, or diagnosis techniques discussed during this activity without evaluation of their patient for contraindications or dangers of use. 

CMEO Credit Claiming Process

At the end of the module, you will be provided with the activity post-test and evaluation link, then print your certificate/statement of credit.
Credit request forms, and activity evaluations must be completed online (requires free account activation), and participants can print their certificate or statement of credit immediately. This website supports all browsers except Internet Explorer for Mac. For complete technical requirements and privacy policy, visit https://www.cmeoutfitters.com/privacy-and-confidentiality-policy 

Questions about this activity?

Please contact:  plhu@plhealth.com

Module 4 

Treating Stimulant Use Disorder

Format
Online, Self-Placed
Length
2.5 Hours
CE Credit
2.5 CME / CE
Certificate
Upon Completion
Approval
Dec 2027
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