Implementation of a pilot community-based experiential training program to address OUD and other SUDs

ABSTRACT

By the end of 2019, there were 70,630 drug overdose deaths in the United States and 9.5 million adults had co-occurring disorders of mental health and substance use disorder. There is a great need to enhance community-based experiential training for students preparing to become behavioral professionals who will work with individuals experiencing mental health and substance use disorders (SUDs). The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate an opioid use disorder (OUD) and other SUDs training program designed to prepare MSW students for delivering prevention, treatment, and recovery services in high need and high demand areas. Two 3-hr trainings on OUD and other SUDs were implemented with 20 MSW students. Students demonstrated a statistically significant increase in their knowledge of opioid use and other substance use disorders from pre- to posttest for and a statistically significant increase in their confidence levels in knowledge about OUD and other SUDs.

KEYWORDS:

• Opioid use
• prevention
• recovery
• students
• substance use
• training
• treatment

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This is supported by the U.S. Department of Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration [T98HP33426].