Attitudes and Perceptions of Substance Use Disorder

This training is designed to explore the concept of stigma (both internal and external) and how it relates to substance use. The use of non-stigmatizing language supports retention in services and referrals to resources for treatment.  It also seeks to increase pharmacists and pharmacy staff's comfort level in addressing potentially uncomfortable patient and provider experiences and discussions.

Target Audience

Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians.

Suggested Additional Reading:

  1. Ashford, R. D., Brown, A. M., & Curtis, B. (2019). Expanding language choices to reduce stigma: A Delphi study of positive and negative terms in substance use and recovery. Health Education, https://doi.org/10.1108/HE-03-2018-0017
  2. Kelly, J. F., Wakeman, S. E., & Saitz, R. (2015). Stop talking 'dirty': clinicians, language, and quality of care for the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. The American journal of medicine, 128(1), 8–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2014.07.043 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2020).
  3. Substance Use Disorder Treatment for People With Co-Occurring Disorders. Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 42. SAMHSA Publication No. PEP20-02-01-004. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Learning Objectives

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

  • Describe the impact of compassion fatigue and burnout on staff.
  • ​List common substance use motivations.​
  • Describe the impact of trauma on substance use, including adverse childhood experiences.
  • ​Define stigma and identify its negative effects.
  • Define recovery and its elements.​
  • Recognize the impact of provider language on patient engagement.​
  • Recognize strategies for identifying and avoiding stigma.

Disclaimer Statement

The information presented at this CME program represents the views and opinions of the individual presenters, and does not constitute the opinion or endorsement of, or promotion by, the UPMC Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences, UPMC / University of Pittsburgh Medical Center or Affiliates and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.  Reasonable efforts have been taken intending for educational subject matter to be presented in a balanced, unbiased fashion and in compliance with regulatory requirements. However, each program attendee must always use his/her own personal and professional judgment when considering further application of this information, particularly as it may relate to patient diagnostic or treatment decisions including, without limitation, FDA-approved uses and any off-label uses.

Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.00 ACPE Pharmacy
    The UPMC Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a Provider of continuing pharmacy education.
    • 1.00 Opioid Education
  • 1.00 Attendance
    • 1.00 Opioid Education
Course opens: 
09/01/2023
Course expires: 
12/31/2025
University of Pittsburgh Program Evaluation and Research Unit (PERU)
United States
University of Pittsburgh Program Evaluation and Research Unit (PERU)

Course Directors

Jessica Northcott, MSW, LCSW - Program Manager at University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy PERU

Shannon Miller, MSW, MPPM - Senior Program Implementation Specialist, IHSI

Planning Committee

Jessica Northcott, MSW, LCSW - Program Manager, IHSI

Caitlin Walsh, CPhT, MA, PhD - Associate Program Implementation Specialist at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy Program Evaluation Research Unit (PERU)

Shannon Miller, MSW, MPPM - Senior Program Implementation Specialist, IHSI

Kathleen (Kate) Cridlebaugh, BS - Associate Instructional Designer, T&C

Kaitlyn Sullivan, PharmD, RPh - Owner of Palmer Pharmacy LLC.

Brianna McDonough, MPH, CPH - Manager of Training and Instructional Design, T&C


Faculty Disclosure: 

All individuals in a position to control the content of this education activity including members of the planning committee, speakers, presenters, authors, and/or content reviewers have disclosed all relevant financial relationships with any entity producing, marketing, re-selling, or distributing health care goods or services, used on, or consumed by, patients.

No planners, members of the planning committee, speakers, presenters, authors, content reviewers and/or anyone else in a position to control the content of this education activity have relevant financial relationships to disclose.

In support of improving patient care, the University of Pittsburgh 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.

Pharmacy (CPE)
This knowledge-based activity provides 1.0 contact hours of continuing pharmacy education credit.  

JA4008223-0000-23-215-H04-P

Other Healthcare Professionals Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity.

Available Credit

  • 1.00 ACPE Pharmacy
    The UPMC Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a Provider of continuing pharmacy education.
    • 1.00 Opioid Education
  • 1.00 Attendance
    • 1.00 Opioid Education
Please login or register to take this course.

This educational training for this site is hosted on this PERU Home - PERU (pitt.edu) website. The direct link to this training is https://projectlifeline.pharmacy.pitt.edu/training/.

Please only log in or register on this site in order to complete the course evaluation and obtain your credits and certificate.