- Education
Substance Use Disorder
AANP Resources by Therapeutic Area
Continuing Education Courses
The AANP CE Center offers a wide variety of continuing education (CE) activities for nurse practitioners (NPs). Members of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP) get more, including access to many free activities and significantly discounted rates on others. The activities are updated frequently, and many substance use disorder-related options are currently available.
JAANP Resource Center
Find evidence-based articles, up-to-date guidelines and other resources about substance use disorder and addiction medicine at this resource center, brought to you by the Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (JAANP).
Recovery in Focus: How NPs Support Patients on Their Journey
Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) Point of Care Tool
The opioid epidemic continues to surge across the U.S., so AANP developed this point of care tool as a reference guide for NPs to easily access as needed. The guide provides information regarding the disease state, symptoms and treatments of this chronic, relapsing disease of the brain.
Supported by Indivior, Inc.
NP Tools and Resources
Stigma and Addiction: How We Show Up Changes Everything
This handout is designed to help NPs recognize and address stigma when caring for patients with substance use disorder (SUD). It highlights how language, assumptions and clinical interactions can impact patient trust, engagement and outcomes. Through key insights and a brief case study, the tool encourages a shift toward stigma-aware communication, emphasizing curiosity, partnership and harm reduction to support more effective, patient-centered care.
This handout is supported by an independent educational grant from the Opioid Analgesics REMS Program Companies (RPC).
Patient Education Tools and Resources
Breaking the Cycle of Opioid Use Disorder
This handout is designed to support NPs working with patients who will or currently are receiving treatment for OUD. During shared clinical decision-making, the tool can guide the patient education on how the medications are used to treat OUD work and their common side effects. This handout provides a way for patients to take an active role in their recovery by utilizing journaling of their treatment goals, triggers and positive coping skills.
This activity is supported by Indivor Inc.
External Resources
Conveniently Curated Information From Other Top Sources
There are many resources available for patients and providers. Some are listed below for your convenience. The inclusion of these links does not imply AANP endorsement.
- NIDAMED: CE and clinical resources, including screening tools, opioid agreements and patient education materials.
- The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine: The Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Save Lives consensus study report, available for free download to users with a login, offers a look into the effectiveness of and barriers to medication-based treatment for opioid use disorder.
- HHS Guide for Clinicians on the Appropriate Dosage Reduction or Discontinuation of Long-term Opioid Analgesics provides advice to clinicians who are contemplating or initiating a change in opioid dosage.