Addressing Overdose and Substance Use Disorder With Person-Centered Care
Discover substance use disorder resources and the latest information for nurse practitioners.
When discussing or even just thinking about subjects as fraught as substance abuse and overdose, it’s important to hold on to hope. This year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provided some good news — deaths from overdose in the U.S. fell by 27% in 2024. Aside from an enormous decrease from 80,391 drug overdose deaths in 2024 compared to 110,037 in 2023, the CDC also notes that “Annual drug overdose deaths are projected to reach their lowest level since 2019.”
These facts are encouraging, but, of course, there’s a caveat. In 2023, the National Institutes of Health reported that rates of synthetic opioid overdose have risen steeply since around 2015.
The CDC confirms that synthetic opioids were far and away the leading cause of overdose deaths in the U.S. in 2024 (responsible for 48,422 deaths), while psychostimulants — the second leading cause of overdose — were responsible for less than 29,500. While the decrease in overall overdose deaths is a good sign, it is still very important that nurse practitioners (NPs) and other health care providers are equipped with the skills necessary to test patients for substance use disorder (SUD); educate them on the dangers of possible overdose; and, most importantly, meet them where they are in open communication. Aug. 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day, a time to reflect on how to prevent overdose and address SUD. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP), your national NP community, is here to provide you with the educational resources your practice needs to treat patients and prevent overdose.
Treating Opioid Use Disorder
A recent article in the Journal for Nurse Practitioners entitled “Fentanyl Use Disorder: A Guide for Nurse Practitioners,” by Mary Ellen Biggerstaff, DNP, and Kim Miker, DNP, ARNP, FNP-C, CCRN, details what NPs need to know about fentanyl use disorder (FUD) in particular. This includes “fentanyl’s pharmacology and clinical signs; FUD management, including screening methods, testing and harm reduction approaches; and the role of NPs in early detection, treatment and harm reduction for patients with FUD.” As they write in their conclusion, “By staying informed about the latest guidelines and emerging evidence, NPs can effectively contribute to mitigating the impact of this public health crisis and improving the quality of life for individuals struggling with FUD.”
Another resource created by AANP is an opioid use disorder (OUD) point of care tool designed specifically for NPs. This tool discusses general OUD information; how to identify and diagnose OUD; treatment of OUD; and much more. Another patient tool entitled Breaking the Cycle of Opioid Use Disorder lists medications approved for the treatment of OUD and provides positive reinforcement for individuals struggling to overcome addiction. AANP has also created a clinical practice brief with guidelines for prescribing opioid medications, which includes links to resources relating to safe disposal of medication, and more.
Ending Stigma and Opening the Conversation
While tools and resources dedicated to understanding and treating SUD are critical, an NP’s treatment options are limited if trust isn’t established with a patient. Removing stigma and meeting a patient where they are is crucial to an honest and open conversation around substance abuse and preventing overdose. As Susanne Fogger, DNP CRNP, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP, FAANP, FAAN, told AANP: “If you want to begin to care for people with addictions, start asking the right questions. Patients with substance use disorders are often hidden, as addiction is highly stigmatizing and self-stigmatizing. There are people in your community and in hospital beds that have an underlying addiction issue, but they're not going to talk about it unless you ask.”
Colleen Barry, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, CARN-AP, CSAP, also discusses the benefits of accentuating the positive when it comes to speaking with a patient about alcohol use disorder: “Maybe they’re not ready to stop, but they want to feel better. ‘What can I do to help you feel better? If you’re not ready to quit drinking, let’s talk about the things that you want to improve in your life.’”
Continuing Education Related to SUDs
For NPs who want to learn even more about SUDs while earning continuing education (CE) credit, AANP has CE activities available. The Opioids, Controlled Substances and Substance Use Disorders Bundle contains 8.6 contact hours of CE, 4.75 of which may be applied toward pharmacology. AANP members who register for all five courses save 50% on this bundle compared to nonmembers.