Learn about the CDC's Opioid Guidelines, chronic opioid therapy, and tools to ensure safe and effective regimens in this CPE activity for healthcare professionals.

Following the 2018 release of the CDC’s Opioid Guidelines, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals have become increasingly involved in the identification and management of substance use disorders. However, the wording of the guidelines has created ambiguity around the appropriateness of opioid use. Improving understanding of chronic opioid therapy will allow pharmacists and other healthcare professionals to partner with providers to ensure regimens are safe and effective. This CPE activity will focus on presenting guidelines as a “guideline” rather than a black and white application for all patients. Areas of ambiguity such as MED cut-offs will be addressed. Tools to help determine the safety and efficacy of therapy will be introduced. The relationship between mental health conditions and opioid use will also be discussed.