Registration Options

Activity Dates: 10/07/2022 - 10/07/2025

Session Time and Location

The live session is complete.

Target Audience

If you are a pharmacist, nurse practitioner or other healthcare professional involved in the comprehensive medication management of psychiatric patients, we invite you to participate in this online course.

Session Summary

According to the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, an estimated 10.3 million people (3.7%) aged 12 or older misused CNS stimulants (cocaine, methamphetamine, or prescription stimulants) in the past year. There is no FDA approved medication currently available for stimulant use disorders and evidence-based treatment options are limited. There are many studies available evaluating the many options for treatment of stimulant use disorder, but little clinical application has resulted thus far. A review of current pharmacotherapy treatment approaches and outcomes may be beneficial to the pharmacist who does not typically work with patients diagnosed with substance use disorders. In addition to treatment options, there are currently vaccines in development for the treatment of cocaine use disorder and methamphetamine use disorder. The cocaine vaccine, which is designed to absorb cocaine in the bloodstream, was approved for a Phase I and Phase II clinical trials. The methamphetamine vaccine has been approved for Phase I clinical trial.

During treatment of substance use disorders, the focus is often on preventing acute effects of substance misuse. Chronic stimulant use may result in a number of health issues including serious cardiovascular complications such as angina, valvular disease, stroke, and an increases risk for heart attack. Chronic stimulant use can also permanently alter brain structure, leading to impaired cognitive, neurological, and emotional systems. In pregnant mothers, there are also long-term effects of stimulant misuse including risk of neurodevelopmental problems in the fetus. Improved patient education on the long-term consequences of stimulant misuse could prevent these complications.

Course Requirements

To receive ACPE credit for this session, you must:

  • Sign in (or create a FREE account).
  • Register for this course.
  • Review the full content of the activity and reflect upon its teachings.
  • Complete the post-test at the end of the activity no later than the closing activity date.
  • Complete the evaluation at the end of the activity.
  • If necessary, complete the post-test retest no later than the closing activity date.
  • Receive a passing grade (70%).
  • Provide the necessary details in your profile to ensure correct reporting by AAPP to CPE Monitor.

Upon successful completion, ACPE credit is reported within 24 hours to CPE Monitor although transcripts can be retrieved by participants online in their ACPE Transcript.

Faculty Information and Disclosures

Phillip Coffin, MD, MIA, VACP, FIDCA

View biographical information and disclosures

Learning Objectives

  1. Explain the prevalence and consequences of stimulant misuse and stimulant use disorders in the United States.
  2. Evaluate the evidence supporting pharmacotherapies for stimulant use disorders.
  3. Provide patient education and harm reduction strategies to prevent long-term consequences of stimulant use disorder.

Continuing Education Credit and Disclosures

Activity Dates: 10/07/2022 - 10/07/2025
ACPE Contact Hours: 1.25
ACPE Number: 0284-0000-22-076-H01-P (Application)
Nursing Credit Reminder: Note that ACPE credit is accepted for certification renewal.

ACPEThe College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.

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