Fast CE For Less
Enroll Now
Listen to this page
Back to all courses
Behavioral Health
Pharmacology
Version 1.0
Audio version available

Substance Use Disorder and Treatment Options

A practical nursing review of substance use disorder assessment, controlled-substance schedules, overdose response, evidence-based treatment, recovery, and stigma-free care.

A registered nurse speaking privately and respectfully with an adult patient in a clinical examination room while reviewing a treatment and overdose-safety plan.
Contact hours
2
Format
Self-paced, online
Last reviewed
Sep 19, 2026

$10.00or included with All-Access

$5 per contact hour · 2 contact hours

Secure checkout. Certificates issue instantly and stay in your vault even after a subscription ends.

  • No post-test required · unlimited retakes · evaluation and attestation always required

Course Purpose

A practical nursing review of substance use disorder assessment, controlled-substance schedules, overdose response, evidence-based treatment, recovery, and stigma-free care.

Continuing Education Credit Designation

This educational activity is credited for 2 contact hours at completion of the activity.

Overview

After completing this course, nurses will be able to recognize substance use disorder, distinguish expected effects from intoxication, withdrawal, and overdose, and initiate appropriate safety measures. Learners will also be able to explain evidence-based treatment options, support recovery and harm reduction, and provide person-centered care using accurate, nonstigmatizing language.

Objectives

Upon completion of this independent study, the learner will be able to:

  1. Differentiate substance use, intoxication, withdrawal, overdose, physical dependence, and substance use disorder.
  2. Apply current diagnostic concepts and focused screening findings to patients with possible substance-related harm.
  3. Compare federal controlled-substance schedules and describe nursing responsibilities for secure handling, administration, documentation, and waste.
  4. Recognize clinical patterns associated with alcohol, opioids, sedative-hypnotics, stimulants, cannabis, nicotine, hallucinogens, inhalants, and commonly misused nonprescription medicines.
  5. Initiate an evidence-based response to suspected overdose, including airway support, emergency activation, naloxone administration when indicated, and ongoing reassessment.
  6. Explain medication and psychosocial treatment options for opioid use disorder and other substance use disorders using person-centered, nonstigmatizing language.

Policy Statement

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the policies of FastCEForLess.com. This course should be used for informational purposes only and should not be used to diagnose, treat, prescribe, recommend, or initiate therapies or treatments in any setting. This course is copyrighted by Fast CE For Less, Inc. and may not be replicated, copied, or dispersed without written consent.

Disclosures

Fast CE For Less, Inc. and its authors have no disclosures. There is no commercial support.

Who this course is for:

Healthcare professionals who want continuing education on Substance Use Disorder and Treatment Options.

Course outline

11 sections · finish in any order across devices

  1. 1

    Introduction

  2. 2

    Controlled Substance Act

  3. 3

    Substance Use Disorder Definition

  4. 4

    Behavioral and Physical Signs

  5. 5

    Commonly Abused Drugs

  6. 6

    Signs and Symptoms of Overdose

  7. 7

    Treatment Options for Opioid Use Disorder

  8. 8

    Recovery Options

  9. 9

    What to Do When an Overdose Occurs

  10. 10

    Nursing Considerations

  11. 11

    Conclusion

References

The full reference list is included inside the course, after the Conclusion.

Purchase required to access Fast Facts, pretests, posttests, course evaluations and certificates. Our one free course is the only exception.

This Course Satisfies

    Requirement summaries come from our state requirement records. All Users of Fast CE For Less’s website and content are responsible for knowing their state’s license and renewal requirements.

    Update history

      Take this course and the rest of the library

      Unlimited annual access covers every course, every state you track, and your certificates forever.

      ENROLL

      Still have a question?

      Ask about requirements, a course, pricing or your license. Answers come from our own course list and state notes.

      Ask about your license or a course

      Answers come from Fast CE For Less's own course list and our notes on state requirements. Always check your board's own rules before you count hours.