Illicit Drug Use, Disorders, and Overdose Deaths in the U.S.

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How to Take This Course:

• 1 View Course Worksheet -  View the course worksheet or print it out to review later
• 2 Read the Course Material -  As you read through, mark your answers on the course worksheet to be prepared for the exam
• 3 Take Exam -  You must achieve a score of 75% or higher in order to earn credit for the course.
• You don't need to pay for an exam until AFTER you pass it. If you have any questions or need more information, please click here.

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Course Description

CE Course Description

Drug use and subsequent overdoses continue to be critical and complicated public health challenges across metropolitan/nonmetropolitan areas. The purpose of this brief, intermediate level continuing education course, developed using information from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is to examine trends in illicit drug use, illicit drug use disorders, and drug overdose deaths in the United States through analyses of 2003–2014 National Survey of Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) and 1999–2015 National Vital Statistics System Mortality (NVSS-M) data. Public health professionals and clinicians can use these findings to identify specific subgroups and rural/urban groups in need of targeted interventions and to monitor and prioritize response.

CE Course Objectives

1. Examine recent trends in drug use, drug use disorders, and overdose deaths in metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas of the United States.

2. Summarize factors that influence the rural-urban mortality gap in the U.S., including those that impact drug overdose deaths.

3. Discuss the prevalence of illicit drug use in metropolitan/nonmetropolitan areas by sex, age, race, and annual household income.

4. Identify encouraging signs and causes for concern that may help public health professionals and clinicians recognize specific subgroups and rural/urban groups in need of targeted interventions.

5. Outline how living in a rural area impacts the consequences of drug use, compared to living in an urban area.

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Instructor Notes
The Mindful team consists of numerous behavioral health professionals with a plethora of clinical experience as well as backgrounds in higher education, including teaching at the university level. Our three consulting psychologists review the appropriate course material, based on their experience and expertise that aligns with program content, to ensure that it enhances interdisciplinary understanding and is consistent with a systematic, research-based approach to promoting continued education and for synthesizing new knowledge into the clinician’s professional environment.

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