It Is No Longer Just an Opioid Problem: Polysubstance Misuse and the Fourth Wave of the Overdose Crisis
Target Audience: Pharmacist
Course Overview
The drug overdose crisis in the United States began in the 1990s. This crisis was fueled by a growth in opioid prescriptions by healthcare providers and is referred to as the “first wave.” The first wave was followed by a second wave, driven by a rise in heroin use. A third wave followed, which was highlighted by the use of synthetic opioids. Now, a fourth wave has emerged in the opioid overdose crisis. This wave is marked by polysubstance misuse involving the use of fentanyl combined with stimulants. These waves have caused a progressively higher number of drug overdose deaths in the United States. This activity reviews the distinctive features of each wave of the drug overdose crisis and the increasing role of polysubstance misuse in the fourth wave. It also discusses the successes and failures of regulatory and public policy decisions that have been applied to combating this drug overdose crisis and the dangers and risks of stimulant misuse. This is a General course for Florida and Michigan.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this educational activity, participants should be able to:
- Describe the evolution of the opioid and drug overdose crisis
- Review how polydrug misuse has become the dominant factor in overdose deaths
- Discuss the characteristics and risks of stimulant misuse
- Characterize how regulatory and public policy decisions have been applied to combating drug overdose
Faculty
I. Introduction
II. Prevalence of Drug Overdose
III. The First Three Waves of the Drug Overdose Crisis
A. The First Wave: Prescription Opioids
B. The Second Wave: Heroin
C. The Third Wave: Synthetic Opioids
IV. The Fourth Wave: Polysubstance Misuse
V. Prevalence, Risks, and Legal Considerations of Stimulant Misuse
A. Stimulant Misuse Risks
B. Legal Considerations
VI. The Pharmacy Team’s Role in Combatting the Overdose Crisis
VII. Additional Resources
VIII. Summary and Key Points
From August 15, 2024 through August 15, 2027, participants must:
- Read the "learning objectives" and "author and planning team disclosures"
- Study the section entitled "educational activity"
- Complete the Course Test and Evaluation form. The Course Test will be graded automatically. Following successful completion of the Course Test with a score of 70% or higher, a statement of participation will be made available immediately. (No partial credit will be given.)
Credit for this course will be automatically uploaded to CPE Monitor®.
Faculty Planner Disclosure
The following individuals were involved in developing this activity: Gerald Gianutsos, Ph.D., J.D., and Pamela Sardo, PharmD, BS. Gerald Gianutsos and Pamela Sardo have no conflicts of interest or financial relationships regarding the subject matter. There are no financial relationships or commercial or financial support relevant to this activity to report or disclose by RxCe.com or any of the individuals involved in the development of this activity.
Unlabeled Use Disclosure
The information provided in this course is general in nature and it is solely designed to provide participants with continuing education credit(s). This course and materials are not meant to substitute for the independent, professional judgment of any participant regarding that participant’s professional practice, including but not limited to patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Medical and pharmacy practices, rules, and laws vary from state to state, and this course does not cover the laws of each state; therefore, participants must consult the laws of their state as they relate to their professional practice. Healthcare professionals, including pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, must consult with their employer, healthcare facility, hospital, or other organization, for guidelines, protocols, and procedures they are to follow. The information provided in this course does not replace those guidelines, protocols, and procedures but is for academic purposes only, and this course’s limited purpose is for the completion of continuing education credits. Participants are advised and acknowledge that information related to medications, their administration, dosing, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, warnings, precautions, or accepted uses are constantly changing, and any person taking this course understands that such person must make an independent review of medication information prior to any patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Any discussion of off-label use of any medication, device, or procedure is informational only and such uses are not endorsed hereby. Nothing contained in this course represents the opinions, views, judgments, or conclusions of RxCe.com LLC. RxCe.com LLC is not liable or responsible to any person for any inaccuracy, error, or omission with respect to this course, or course material.
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Accreditation
In support of improving patient care, RxCE.com 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.