Primary Care for Substance Use Professionals: 5-hour Online Course

This course has no start or end date.

The SAMHSA-HRSA Center for Integrated Health Solutions (CIHS), in collaboration with the Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) Network and the Morehouse School of Medicine National Center for Primary Care, has developed a 5-hour self-paced online course for addiction treatment professionals considering career opportunities in primary care. The free course provides these professionals with resources and information to help them decide whether working in a primary care setting is right for them.

Addiction treatment is one of the 10 categories of essential health benefits specified in the Affordable Care Act, providing more people with access to healthcare services. It is estimated that as many as 16 million people will seek services as a direct result, many of whom have substance use disorders, which commonly co-occur with one or more chronic physical or mental health conditions. While primary care is well equipped to handle medical disorders, they often do not have well-trained staff knowledgeable about substance use issues. In order to meet the complex healthcare needs of individuals with substance use problems - and the dramatically increased demand for comprehensive care - primary care practices can expand their workforce by including addiction treatment professionals who have the appropriate training to succeed in primary care settings.

Of interest to individuals currently in training to provide substance abuse services, as well as practicing substance abuse treatment professionals, the online course follows four modules:

• What are key aspects of the primary care culture?   
• What new language will I need to learn?
• What is my role and what difference can I make?
• What does it take for an addiction professional to succeed in a primary care environment?

The free Primary Care for Substance Use Professionals 5-hour Online Course will help you determine if this career option is for you. Begin the course today. NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals, and the National Board for Certified Counselors offer five continuing educations credits (CEUs) for this course for a fee ($25.00 to earn 5.00 NAADAC CEUs and 5.00 NBCC clock hours).

The SAMHSA-HRSA Center for Integrated Health Solutions (CIHS) promotes the development of integrated primary and behavioral health services to better address the needs of individuals with mental health and substance use conditions, whether seen in specialty behavioral health or primary care provider settings. CIHS is funded jointly by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and run by the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare.