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SUD 101 Course 6: Lab Testing in Assessment of Substance Use Disorders
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Availability
On-Demand
Release on Apr 01, 2026 12:00 AM Central Daylight Time
Access expires on Apr 01, 2029
Cost
$0.00
Credit Offered
1.5 CME Credits
1.5 PA-CME Credits
1.5 Other Professionals Credits
1.5 Nursing Credits
1.5 Pharmacy Credits
1.5 IPCE Credits
  • Course and Curriculum Overview
  • 8-Hour DEA Training
  • Course Completion & Accreditation
  • Recommended

Course Title: Lab Testing in Assessment of Substance Use Disorders 

Presenter(s): Kevin A. Sevarino, MD, PhD

Course Description: Lab testing in the assessment of substance use disorders may involve many different substrates, though urine drug testing (UDT) dominates clinical practice. This course is meant to provide a short guide to effective use of lab testing in the treatment of the patient with a substance use disorder, which, to a surprising degree, is often misused or misunderstood. The course describes the clinical role of lab testing to guide treatment and not to be punitive. To properly use and interpret UDT, it reviews common false positives and false negatives that might occur in the immunologic-based first step in UDT. To understand confirmatory gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, it goes on to describe the metabolism of common opioids and benzodiazepines, because the detected substance is often just a downstream metabolite of several possible parent compounds to which the patient was exposed. The course concludes with a discussion of the difference between UDT for clinical purposes versus forensic ones. 

Educational Objectives:
At the conclusion of this activity, participants should be able to:

  • Discuss clinical issues in performing urine drug testing (UDT)
  • Identify the basic types of UDT and when they should be used
  • Interpret laboratory results in the context of opioid and benzodiazepine metabolism
  • Appropriately use lab testing in the management of patients with SUD

Curriculum Overview: Healthcare professionals are often on the front lines of treating substance use disorders (SUDs), yet many have limited formal training in this area. The SUD 101 Core Curriculum is designed to build a strong foundation in current research, evidence-based practices, and available resources.

The curriculum includes:

  • Foundational Courses: Eight interactive, case-based courses that simulate real-world clinical scenarios and provide foundational SUD training
  • Supplemental Courses: These courses offer a deeper exploration of specialized topics and expand on core concepts

Together, these courses enhance healthcare professionals’ competence and confidence in caring for patients with SUDs across the continuum of care, with a particular focus on opioid use disorders (OUD).

 

This is a foundational course within the SUD 101 Core Curriculum. Visit the SUD 101 Core Curriculum page to explore additional educational trainings as new courses become available. 

 

8-Hour Training: Lab Testing in Assessment of Substance Use Disorders is part of a foundational training bundle that fulfills the DEA 8-hour training requirement. Each course in the bundle offers its own CE certificate. CE credit must be claimed after completing each course by following the instructions at the end of the activity. After completing all 8 courses, participants will be able to download a final certificate confirming they have met the 8-hour DEA training requirement. This course is part of a broad catalog of educational offerings available through the SUD 101 Core Curriculum. Visit the SUD 101 Core Curriculum page to explore additional educational trainings that support and expand on this SUD 101 8-Hour bundle as new courses become available.  

The eight courses in the 8-Hour SUD 101 Training include:

  1. Overview of Substance Use Disorders 
  1. Patient-centered Care: Stigma and Advocacy 
  1. Screening, Assessment, and Treatment of Substance Use Disorders
  1. Medications for Opioid Use Disorder 
  1. Management of Opioid Use Disorder in Clinical Care
  1. Lab Testing in Assessment of Substance Use Disorders
  1. Management of Other Substance Use Co-Occurring with Opioid Use Disorder
  1. Life-Saving Overdose Prevention, Response, and Safety Planning

 

Upon completion of the 8 courses in the foundational bundle, participants may also download an 8-Hour SUD Training Digital Badge. The badge confirms completion of at least 8 hours of training on substance use disorders and fulfills the 8-hour DEA training requirement. It can be shared on social media, added to email signatures, or included in online portfolios and resumes. A digital badge is not a certification, license, or formal credential. Instead, it is a shareable acknowledgment of training completion that allows you to document your participation and highlight your commitment to continuing education.


Course Components:

  • Interactive learning: interactive presentation with knowledge checks and reflection questions.
  • Resources: Downloadable slide deck, resource links, references, and mentorship opportunities.
  • Facilitation Guides: Tools to support discussion and implementation within clinical teams
  • Accredited CE credits: A certificate following completion of the course


Requirements for Successful Activity Completion:
To complete this activity and obtain your Certificate, please follow the steps below:

  1. Course Content:
    Complete the interactive presentation (30-60 minutes).

  2. Evaluation:
    Click Evaluation to complete the final PCSS-MOUD course evaluation.

  3. Claim your Certificate:
    Select and claim your preferred certificate type on the next page. Once claimed, a download button will appear in your Certificate Tab. If you do not see the download button or cannot access your certificate, return to the course evaluation and claim your preferred credit/certificate.

  4. Post Survey:
    90 Days following your completion of this activity, you will receive a survey (2 questions) to ask about changes in your practice


Accreditation statement


In support of improving patient care, American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team. 


Credit Designation Statements:

Physicians

American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. 

Nurses and Nurse Practitioners

American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry is an approved provider of nursing continuing education through AAAP’s Joint Accreditation provider #4008192. This activity is approved for up to 1.5 CNE credits.

Pharmacists

This activity has been approved for 1.5 hour of pharmacy continuing education credit. The approval number issued is Universal Activity Number: UAN JA4008192-0000-26-034-H01-P (pharmacy).

PAs

PA AAPA Category 1 CME

American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1.5 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 1.5 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Approval is valid until April 1, 2029. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.


Other Health Professionals and Other Learners

Participants will receive a certificate stating this program is designated for 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.  This credit is accepted by the AANP and the AAPA. 

All Learners

IPCE_Credit

This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive 1.5 Interprofessional Continuing Education credits for learning and change.
 
The content on this site is intended solely to inform and educate medical professionals. This site shall not be used for medical advice and is not a substitute for the advice or treatment of a qualified medical professional.


Funding for this initiative was made possible by cooperative agreement no. 1H79TI086770 and grant no. 1H79TI085588 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

  
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