Pediatric Half and Half MAT Waiver Training-Overview

Overview
Pdf Summary
This document is Module 1 of a training program called PCSS (Provider's Clinical Support System) aimed at training healthcare professionals in evidence-based practices for the prevention and treatment of substance use disorders, particularly opioid use disorders. The objectives of this module include reviewing the epidemiology and neurobiology of adolescent substance use, demonstrating a screening algorithm called SBIRT (screening, brief intervention, referral to treatment) for assessing substance use risk, and demonstrating the use of brief interventions to prevent and reduce substance use in teens.<br /><br />The document includes several case examples to illustrate the importance of addressing substance use in adolescents. It explains that while experimentation with alcohol and drugs is common among teenagers, they are particularly vulnerable to the acute and long-term consequences of substance use. The brain undergoes significant development throughout adolescence, with the prefrontal cortex, responsible for impulse control and decision-making, maturing later than the reward center of the brain. This can explain why teenagers often engage in risk-taking behaviors associated with substance use. The document also highlights statistics on substance use among 12th graders, emphasizing that not all adolescents use alcohol or drugs but rates are higher during this age group.<br /><br />The document provides recommendations for screening tools to identify substance use risk and the importance of using validated tools instead of relying solely on provider impressions, which tend to underestimate risk. It suggests using the CRAFFT questions to assess past-year substance use in adolescents. Based on the screening results, the document offers different levels of brief interventions, from positive reinforcement to quit for non-users, brief advice to quit for lower risk users, brief motivational intervention to reduce risk for moderate or higher risk users, referral to treatment for those with addiction, and immediate intervention for those at acute safety risk. It also mentions the use of pharmacotherapy as a treatment option and emphasizes the need for involving parents in the treatment process.<br /><br />Overall, this Module aims to provide healthcare professionals with an understanding of substance use disorders in pediatric practice and practical tools to assess and address these issues in adolescent patients.
Keywords
PCSS
evidence-based practices
substance use disorders
adolescent substance use
SBIRT
brief interventions
risk assessment
pharmacotherapy
parent involvement
pediatric practice