After this session you’ll be able to:

1. Discuss the impact of substance use disorder (SUD) and the severity of the opioid epidemic in the United States.
2. Provide education to improve knowledge and attitudes towards SUD as a treatable, chronic, medical condition.
3. Identify strategies to overcome the barriers presented by stigma that can result in suboptimal care for individuals with SUD.

Why this is important:

Daily news reports recap the rising numbers of deaths in the U.S. from drug overdoses associated with the opioid epidemic impacting our communities; few lives have been left untouched directly or indirectly from its relenting path. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) estimated in 2016 that 21 million individuals aged 12 years or older required treatment for a substance use disorder. Yet only 10% affected by this highly stigmatized condition sought specialized treatment.

Stigma is recognized as a major barrier for individuals with SUD from seeking treatment. Paula Kobelt will build on our knowledge base of this leading public health crisis and substance use disorder as a chronic medical condition. She will share harm reduction, prevention, and treatment strategies and resources we can use to diminish stigma and provide sensitive, compassionate, evidence-based care to individuals with SUD.