POST Certification Info

Objectives of the course

• Define substance use disorder
• Identify symptoms of substance use disorder
• Demonstrate an understanding of brain disease
• Discuss link of prescription opioids and heroin use
• Identify and understand statute relevant to responding to an opioid overdose
• Identify an opioid overdose
• Respond to an opioid overdose
• List do's and don'ts of what to say to someone after an overdose
• Discuss treatment options available
• Define what NCADA does for overdose victims and their loved ones

Detailed synopsis or detailed overview

• Substance Use Disorder and Addiction
• Current definitions and what this looks like. Addressing that it is treatable
• Brain disease: symptoms, progression, prognosis. Symptoms of substance use disorder: tolerance, withdrawal, setting limits and breaking them, impact on relationships, continued use despite negative consequences. Discuss the progression and prognosis of the disease.
• Discuss the brain disease is a mental health disorder and not a matter of sheer willpower. Explain that someone cannot simply just stop using. Discuss brain structure being changed and this taking time to heal.
• Show dopamine levels and explain how addiction is created in the brain. Discuss synaptic pruning.
• Relate these brain changes and dopamine levels to relapse rates and treating this disease. Begin to introduce appropriate language and avoiding "those people" and including substance use disorder can happen to all people.
• Present risk factors for substance use disorder: age of first use, abuse, availability, lack of coping skills, weak family relationships, genetics. Introduce protective factors: family involvement, positive self-image, community resources.
• Present information on prescription opioid drug rates in this country and educated on how they are linked to heroin use.
• Present empirical research being done about the rates of substance use after OEND trainings.
• Discuss what to say and what to avoid. Remind responders this is a brain disease and to avoid blame and shame.
• Encourage empathy, understanding and to offering help while remembering this person could be angry/violent.
• Explain treatment options available, including: in-patient, outpatient, intensive outpatient, medically assisted treatment, community supports and alternative/holistic approaches.
• Discuss what NCADA does: role of answering phone calls, conducting assessments and making referrals
• Identify statute that enables law enforcement officers to carry naloxone
• Identify statute that makes naloxone available to the general public
• Identify statute that makes naloxone available to the general public
• Understand obligations created by Missouri's Good Samaritan statute
• Understand how immunity increases the likelihood of lives being saved
• Be able to identify an opioid overdose
• Respond to an opioid overdose, including:
• Administer naloxone
• Administer rescue breathing
• Perform the head tilt/chin lift maneuver
• Place the patient in the recovery position