Course Description:
To address opioid use disorder and overdose deaths across Michigan, Michigan State University Extension, Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine and the Northwest Health Department of Michigan are offering opioid misuse prevention education to Michigan communities through the Michigan Substance Use Prevention, Education, and Recovery (MiSUPER) project. The presentation is available to rural community groups and can vary in length from 30 to 60 minutes. People will learn alternatives to opioid use, recovery strategies and how to support those in recovery.
Opioid use disorder is a brain disease, not a lack of willpower. People with opioid use disorder often feel ashamed with no one to talk to. The language we use can hinder the recovery process by stigmatizing and stereotyping individuals or it can be used to reduce stigma, improve treatment and help save lives. The first step is to use language that is supportive of recovery and healing. Changing the way we talk about opioid use disorder can help someone with attempt recovery. When discussing substance use disorders, health professionals recommend using person first language, which is less stigmatizing and reverses harmful stereotypes. For example, instead of referring to someone as a drug addict, abuser, junkie, or drug abuser, we can acknowledge the individual as a person with substance use disorder.
Each of us can take action to reduce a loved one’s chance of opioid use disorder, a long-term chronic brain disease. MiSUPER’s community education presentations aim to empower Michigan communities to prevent opioid misuse and support people in recovery.
Course Link:
https://www.canr.msu.edu/misuper/index
CE Value (credits): 1
CE Type: Standard