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description Monograph

Pain Management with Opioids and Controlled Substances: Potential Misuse and Alternative Treatment Options

Target Audience: Pharmacist, Pharmacy Tech, Physician Assistant, Physician

star star star star star_outline 3.9/5 based on 36 ratings
schedule 2.00 Contact Hours (0.20 CEUs)
category Pain Management/Opioids
local_activity Knowledge

Course Overview

Prescription opioids and other controlled substances are used to treat moderate to severe pain. Individuals taking opioids over a long period of time can also develop cravings. Although most people who take opioids long-term do not develop a substance use disorder, a small percentage of people experience a continuing, compulsive need for opioids, which is characteristic of an opioid use disorder. The same may be said of other controlled substances. There is a wide range of clinical practice guidelines for treating pain. Nonpharmacologic therapy and nonopioid medications are preferred for the initial treatment of chronic pain. Opioids as first-line or routine therapy for chronic pain should only be considered when the benefits outweigh the risks.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this educational activity, participants should be able to:

  • Appraise whether a patient has an opioid use disorder
  • Describe characteristics of appropriate opioid prescribing
  • Discuss non-opioid treatments for patients presenting with pain
  • Summarize the reason for using prescription drug monitoring programs like Michigan's Automated Prescription System
  • Provide components of patient/caregiver education to individuals receiving treatment for pain

Faculty

Authors & Activity Planners
Kristina (Tia) Neu, RN
View Bio +
Kristina (Tia) Neu, RN is a licensed Registered Nurse and author currently developing in-service training for healthcare professionals. She is a National Board-Certified Health & Wellness and Lifestyle Medicine Coach. Her work experience includes work in several areas of the healthcare profession, including psychiatric nursing, medical nursing, motivational health coaching, chronic case management, dental hygiene, cardiac technician, and surgical technician.
Sandra Rogers, MD
View Bio +
Sandra Rogers, MD, is a primary care physician in Texas. She is board-certified through the American Board of Family Medicine and the American Board of Internal Medicine.
Additional Faculty & Reviewers
Pamela Sardo, Pharm.D., B.S.
View Bio +
Pamela Sardo, Pharm.D., B.S. is a licensed pharmacist and Freelance Medical Writer at Sardo Solutions in Texas.
L. Austin Fredrickson, MD, FACP
View Bio +
Dr. Fredrickson is an assistant professor of internal medicine at Northeast Ohio Medical University, where he serves as core faculty and teaches diagnostics, therapeutics, clinical skills, and health humanities. He is board-certified in general internal medicine and practices rural primary care.
  • Introduction
  • Use of Opioids to Treat or Manage Pain
  • Guidelines for Prescribing Opioids
  • Assessing Opioid Misuse and Dependence
  • Alternative Non-Opioid, Pharmacological Treatments for Pain Management
    • Non-Opioid Analgesics
    • Anticonvulsants
    • Corticosteroids
    • Antidepressants
    • Buprenorphine
    • Suzetrigine
    • Topical Lidocaine
  • Nonpharmacological Treatments for Pain Management
    • Integrated Pain Treatment Plans
    • Physical Interventions
    • Psychotherapies
  • Responsible Opioid Prescribing Practices
  • Stigma and Addiction
  • Counseling Patients on Opioid and Controlled Substance Use
  • Utilizing Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs
  • Treating Opioid Overdose with Opioid Antagonists
    • Naloxone
    • Nalmephene
  • Controlled Substances Act and Other Regulations
    • Schedules of Controlled Substances
    • Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
    • Stock Ordering of Controlled Substances
    • Storage, Recordkeeping, and Disposal of Controlled Substances
    • Security Features
    • State-Level Scheduling and Regulations
  • Patient Case
  • Summary

From February 10, 2026 through February 10, 2029, participants must:

  1. Read the "learning objectives" and "author and planning team disclosures"
  2. Study the section entitled "educational activity"
  3. 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 planning, developing, and/or authoring this activity: L. Austin Fredrickson, MD, FACP; Sandra Rogers, MD; Kristina (Tia) Neu, RN; and Pamela Sardo, PharmD, BS. None of the individuals involved in developing this activity has a conflict of interest or financial relationships related to 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 designed solely 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 must consult their employer, healthcare facility, hospital, or other organization for guidelines, protocols, and procedures 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 is constantly changing. Any person taking this course understands that such a person must make an independent review of medication information before 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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  • A connection to the internet

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.

PTCB Recognition

RxCe.com, LLC, offers pharmacy technician continuing education courses for PTCB recertification. Pharmacy technician courses are indicated both in the Target Audience description and the ACPE UAN which will end with a "T".