{"id":76118,"date":"2026-08-12T16:36:17","date_gmt":"2026-08-12T21:36:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.freestatesocialwork.com\/?p=76118"},"modified":"2026-09-13T11:47:31","modified_gmt":"2026-09-13T16:47:31","slug":"the-opioid-epidemic-a-review-of-the-contributing-factors-negative-consequences-and-best-practices-1-credit-hour","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.freestatesocialwork.com\/?p=76118","title":{"rendered":"The Opioid Epidemic:  A Review of the Contributing Factors, Negative Consequences, and Best Practices (1 credit hour)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Program Summary: \u00a0<\/strong>This course explores contributing factors to the US opioid epidemic, including the overprescription of opiates and opioids and the lack of education and opportunity. In addition, the course discusses major risk factors for opioid abuse and OUD and identifies negative consequences of opioid misuse. \u00a0Best practices and the impact of prescription drug monitoring programs are examined. \u00a0DSM 5 diagnostic criteria and treatment options are given.<\/p>\n<p>This course is recommended for social workers, counselors, and therapists and is appropriate for beginning and intermediate levels of practice.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p><strong>Reading 1: <\/strong>The Opioid Epidemic: A Review of the Contributing Factors, Negative Consequences, and Best Practices by Dallin Judd, Connor R. King, Curtis Galke \/ Cureus<\/p>\n<p><strong>Reading 2:<\/strong> \u00a0Opioids\/ NIDA<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-23633 alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freestatesocialwork.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/book_1404081347.png\" alt=\"Book Icon\" width=\"54\" height=\"50\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.freestatesocialwork.com\/articles\/The_Opioid_Epidemic-A_Review_of_the_Contributing_Factors_Negative_Consequences_and_Best_Practices_Readings.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> Open the Course Reading Here.<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Course\u00a0Objectives:<\/strong>\u00a0 To enhance professional practice, values, skills and knowledge by exploring the US opioid epidemic and identifying contributing factors, major risk factors, negative consequences, and best practices.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Learning Objectives: \u00a0<\/strong>Describe contributing factors to the US opioid epidemic, including the overprescription of opiates and opioids. \u00a0Identify major risk factors for opioid misuse. \u00a0Describe the negative consequences of the opioid crisis and best practices for healthcare providers.<\/p>\n\t\r\n\t\t<link type=\"text\/css\" rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freestatesocialwork.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/quizzin\/style.css\" \/>\r\n\t\t<script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freestatesocialwork.com\/wp-includes\/js\/jquery\/jquery.js\"><\/script>\r\n\t\t<script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freestatesocialwork.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/quizzin\/script.js\"><\/script>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t<div class=\"quiz-area single-page-quiz\">\r\n\t\t<form action=\"?page_id=755\" method=\"post\" class=\"quiz-form\" id=\"quiz-476\">\r\n\r\n\t\t<p><strong>Course Available Until:<\/strong>  November 30, 2029.<\/p><p><strong>In order to purchase or take this course, you will need to <a href=?action=login>log in<\/a>. If you do not have an account, you will need to <a href=??action=register>register for a free account<\/a>.<p>After you log in, a link will appear here that will allow you to purchase this course. <\/p><\/strong><div class='quizzin-question' id='question-1'><div class='question-content'> 1:  Opioids became broadly available in the US in the<\/div><input type='hidden' name='question_id[]' value='9160' \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9160' id='answer-id-55457' class='answer answer-1' value='55457' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9160\", \"answer-id-55457\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-55457' id='answer-label-55457' class='answer label-1'><span>1970s<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9160' id='answer-id-55458' class='answer answer-1' value='55458' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9160\", \"answer-id-55458\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-55458' id='answer-label-55458' class='answer label-1'><span>1980s<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9160' id='answer-id-55459' class='answer answer-1' value='55459' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9160\", \"answer-id-55459\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-55459' id='answer-label-55459' class='answer label-1'><span>1990s<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9160' id='answer-id-55460' class='answer answer-1' value='55460' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9160\", \"answer-id-55460\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-55460' id='answer-label-55460' class='answer label-1'><span>2000s<\/span><\/label><br \/><\/div><div class='quizzin-question' id='question-2'><div class='question-content'> 2:  Which country has the highest rate of opioid consumption per capita?<\/div><input type='hidden' name='question_id[]' value='9161' \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9161' id='answer-id-55356' class='answer answer-2' value='55356' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9161\", \"answer-id-55356\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-55356' id='answer-label-55356' class='answer label-2'><span>Canada<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9161' id='answer-id-55357' class='answer answer-2' value='55357' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9161\", \"answer-id-55357\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-55357' id='answer-label-55357' class='answer label-2'><span>the United Kingdom<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9161' id='answer-id-55358' class='answer answer-2' value='55358' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9161\", \"answer-id-55358\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-55358' id='answer-label-55358' class='answer label-2'><span>the Netherlands<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9161' id='answer-id-55359' class='answer answer-2' value='55359' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9161\", \"answer-id-55359\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-55359' id='answer-label-55359' class='answer label-2'><span>the United States<\/span><\/label><br \/><\/div><div class='quizzin-question' id='question-3'><div class='question-content'> 3:  The major risk factors for opioid abuse include<\/div><input type='hidden' name='question_id[]' value='9162' \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9162' id='answer-id-55452' class='answer answer-3' value='55452' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9162\", \"answer-id-55452\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-55452' id='answer-label-55452' class='answer label-3'><span>a previous history of substance abuse<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9162' id='answer-id-55453' class='answer answer-3' value='55453' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9162\", \"answer-id-55453\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-55453' id='answer-label-55453' class='answer label-3'><span>untreated psychological disorders<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9162' id='answer-id-55454' class='answer answer-3' value='55454' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9162\", \"answer-id-55454\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-55454' id='answer-label-55454' class='answer label-3'><span>younger age<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9162' id='answer-id-55455' class='answer answer-3' value='55455' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9162\", \"answer-id-55455\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-55455' id='answer-label-55455' class='answer label-3'><span>a social or family environment that encourages misuse<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9162' id='answer-id-55456' class='answer answer-3' value='55456' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9162\", \"answer-id-55456\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-55456' id='answer-label-55456' class='answer label-3'><span>all of the above<\/span><\/label><br \/><\/div><div class='quizzin-question' id='question-4'><div class='question-content'> 4:  In the 1990s, external authorities proposed that physicians use a patient's self reported ________ as a 'fifth vital sign'.<\/div><input type='hidden' name='question_id[]' value='9165' \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9165' id='answer-id-55421' class='answer answer-4' value='55421' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9165\", \"answer-id-55421\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-55421' id='answer-label-55421' class='answer label-4'><span>satisfaction<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9165' id='answer-id-55422' class='answer answer-4' value='55422' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9165\", \"answer-id-55422\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-55422' id='answer-label-55422' class='answer label-4'><span>behavior<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9165' id='answer-id-55423' class='answer answer-4' value='55423' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9165\", \"answer-id-55423\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-55423' id='answer-label-55423' class='answer label-4'><span>sleep quality<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9165' id='answer-id-55424' class='answer answer-4' value='55424' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9165\", \"answer-id-55424\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-55424' id='answer-label-55424' class='answer label-4'><span>pain level<\/span><\/label><br \/><\/div><div class='quizzin-question' id='question-5'><div class='question-content'> 5:  While the US makes up 4.4% of the world's population, it consumes over __________ of the world's opioids.<\/div><input type='hidden' name='question_id[]' value='9167' \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9167' id='answer-id-55380' class='answer answer-5' value='55380' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9167\", \"answer-id-55380\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-55380' id='answer-label-55380' class='answer label-5'><span>20%<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9167' id='answer-id-55381' class='answer answer-5' value='55381' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9167\", \"answer-id-55381\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-55381' id='answer-label-55381' class='answer label-5'><span>40%<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9167' id='answer-id-55382' class='answer answer-5' value='55382' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9167\", \"answer-id-55382\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-55382' id='answer-label-55382' class='answer label-5'><span>60%<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9167' id='answer-id-55383' class='answer answer-5' value='55383' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9167\", \"answer-id-55383\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-55383' id='answer-label-55383' class='answer label-5'><span>80%<\/span><\/label><br \/><\/div><div class='quizzin-question' id='question-6'><div class='question-content'> 6:  Just over ____________ of all people with OUD obtained their supply of drugs from relatives with a prescription.<\/div><input type='hidden' name='question_id[]' value='9168' \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9168' id='answer-id-55384' class='answer answer-6' value='55384' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9168\", \"answer-id-55384\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-55384' id='answer-label-55384' class='answer label-6'><span>10%<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9168' id='answer-id-55385' class='answer answer-6' value='55385' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9168\", \"answer-id-55385\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-55385' id='answer-label-55385' class='answer label-6'><span>20%<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9168' id='answer-id-55386' class='answer answer-6' value='55386' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9168\", \"answer-id-55386\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-55386' id='answer-label-55386' class='answer label-6'><span>30%<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9168' id='answer-id-55387' class='answer answer-6' value='55387' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9168\", \"answer-id-55387\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-55387' id='answer-label-55387' class='answer label-6'><span>50%<\/span><\/label><br \/><\/div><div class='quizzin-question' id='question-7'><div class='question-content'> 7:  Individuals with OUD bring necessary and important reimbursement to rural hospitals.<\/div><input type='hidden' name='question_id[]' value='9169' \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9169' id='answer-id-55390' class='answer answer-7' value='55390' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9169\", \"answer-id-55390\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-55390' id='answer-label-55390' class='answer label-7'><span>True<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9169' id='answer-id-55391' class='answer answer-7' value='55391' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9169\", \"answer-id-55391\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-55391' id='answer-label-55391' class='answer label-7'><span>False<\/span><\/label><br \/><\/div><div class='quizzin-question' id='question-8'><div class='question-content'> 8:  The prescription drug monitoring program tracks<\/div><input type='hidden' name='question_id[]' value='9170' \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9170' id='answer-id-55425' class='answer answer-8' value='55425' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9170\", \"answer-id-55425\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-55425' id='answer-label-55425' class='answer label-8'><span>opioid-related deaths <\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9170' id='answer-id-55426' class='answer answer-8' value='55426' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9170\", \"answer-id-55426\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-55426' id='answer-label-55426' class='answer label-8'><span>reimbursement rates<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9170' id='answer-id-55427' class='answer answer-8' value='55427' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9170\", \"answer-id-55427\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-55427' id='answer-label-55427' class='answer label-8'><span>when and where a prescription is filled and by whom<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9170' id='answer-id-55428' class='answer answer-8' value='55428' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9170\", \"answer-id-55428\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-55428' id='answer-label-55428' class='answer label-8'><span>opioid misuse<\/span><\/label><br \/><\/div><div class='quizzin-question' id='question-9'><div class='question-content'> 9:  Fentanyl is __________ more potent than morphine.<\/div><input type='hidden' name='question_id[]' value='9172' \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9172' id='answer-id-55429' class='answer answer-9' value='55429' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9172\", \"answer-id-55429\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-55429' id='answer-label-55429' class='answer label-9'><span>1 to 2 times<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9172' id='answer-id-55430' class='answer answer-9' value='55430' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9172\", \"answer-id-55430\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-55430' id='answer-label-55430' class='answer label-9'><span>5 to 10 times<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9172' id='answer-id-55431' class='answer answer-9' value='55431' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9172\", \"answer-id-55431\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-55431' id='answer-label-55431' class='answer label-9'><span>10 to 20 times<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9172' id='answer-id-55432' class='answer answer-9' value='55432' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9172\", \"answer-id-55432\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-55432' id='answer-label-55432' class='answer label-9'><span>50 to 100 times<\/span><\/label><br \/><\/div><div class='quizzin-question' id='question-10'><div class='question-content'> 10:  Which of the following is a sign that a person may be experiencing an overdose and require immediate medical attention?<\/div><input type='hidden' name='question_id[]' value='9176' \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9176' id='answer-id-55439' class='answer answer-10' value='55439' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9176\", \"answer-id-55439\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-55439' id='answer-label-55439' class='answer label-10'><span>unconsciousness or inability to wake up<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9176' id='answer-id-55440' class='answer answer-10' value='55440' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9176\", \"answer-id-55440\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-55440' id='answer-label-55440' class='answer label-10'><span>slow or shallow breathing or difficulty breathing<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9176' id='answer-id-55441' class='answer answer-10' value='55441' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9176\", \"answer-id-55441\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-55441' id='answer-label-55441' class='answer label-10'><span>discolored, purplish skin, especially the nails or lips<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9176' id='answer-id-55442' class='answer answer-10' value='55442' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9176\", \"answer-id-55442\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-55442' id='answer-label-55442' class='answer label-10'><span>small, constricted 'pinpoint' pupils that don't react to light<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9176' id='answer-id-55443' class='answer answer-10' value='55443' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9176\", \"answer-id-55443\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-55443' id='answer-label-55443' class='answer label-10'><span>all of the above<\/span><\/label><br \/><\/div><div class='quizzin-question' id='question-11'><div class='question-content'> 11:  If you think someone is overdosing, what should you do?<\/div><input type='hidden' name='question_id[]' value='9177' \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9177' id='answer-id-55444' class='answer answer-11' value='55444' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9177\", \"answer-id-55444\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-55444' id='answer-label-55444' class='answer label-11'><span>Call 911<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9177' id='answer-id-55445' class='answer answer-11' value='55445' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9177\", \"answer-id-55445\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-55445' id='answer-label-55445' class='answer label-11'><span>Use Naloxone or nalmefene if it is available<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9177' id='answer-id-55446' class='answer answer-11' value='55446' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9177\", \"answer-id-55446\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-55446' id='answer-label-55446' class='answer label-11'><span>Try to keep the person awake and breathing<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-9177' id='answer-id-55447' class='answer answer-11' value='55447' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-9177\", \"answer-id-55447\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-55447' id='answer-label-55447' class='answer label-11'><span>all of the above<\/span><\/label><br \/><\/div><p><strong>In order to purchase or take this course, you will need to <a href=?action=login>log in<\/a>. If you do not have an account, you will need to <a href=?action=register>register for a free account<\/a>.<p>After you log in, a link will appear here that will allow you to purchase this course. <\/p><\/strong><\/form><\/div><\/font>\n<p>Review our\u00a0<a href=\"..\/?page_id=133\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pre-reading study guide.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>G.M. Rydberg-Cox, MSW, LSCSW is the Continuing Education Director at Free State Social Work and responsible for the development of this course. \u00a0She received her Masters of Social Work in 1996 from the Jane Addams School of Social Work at the University of Illinois-Chicago and she has over 20 years of experience. \u00a0She has lived and worked as a social worker in Chicago, Boston, and Kansas City. \u00a0She has practiced for many years in the area of hospital\/medical social work. \u00a0The reading materials for this course were developed by another organization.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Program Summary: \u00a0This course explores contributing factors to the US opioid epidemic, including the overprescription of opiates and opioids and the lack of education and opportunity. In addition, the course discusses major risk factors for opioid abuse and OUD and identifies negative consequences of opioid misuse. \u00a0Best practices and the impact of prescription drug monitoring [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,104,44],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-76118","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-clinical","category-diagnosis-treatment","category-opioids"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freestatesocialwork.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76118","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freestatesocialwork.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freestatesocialwork.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freestatesocialwork.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freestatesocialwork.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=76118"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.freestatesocialwork.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76118\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freestatesocialwork.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=76118"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freestatesocialwork.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=76118"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freestatesocialwork.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=76118"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}