A discussion of safe practices for prescribing benzodiazepines, as well as how best to taper off patients in active use.

1. Understand current trends in benzodiazepine use, including disproportionately impacted populations
2. Identify when a benzodiazepine may be indicated for a patient
3. Recognize limitations: how well they work vs. probability of harm
4. Describe best practices for benzo deprescribing
5. Demonstrate approach to obtaining “buy-in” from the patient who is resistant

A review of the current state of opioid use disorder among adolescents, including prevalence and risk factors; a discussion of best practices for MOUD in adolescents, potential barriers to care, and how they can be overcome; and an examination of hypothetical case scenarios regarding adolescent patients with OUD, potential challenges, and viable treatment options.

1. Recognize adolescents as an at-risk population for opioid use disorder, identifying factors leading to addiction and how they can be mitigated in a clinical setting
2. Understand the medications for opioid use disorder available to adolescents, their respective efficacy, and the best practices for prescribing
3. Outline barriers to care for adolescents experiencing opioid use disorder and ways clinicians can manage them
4. Navigate numerous hypothetical case studies regarding adolescents with opioid use disorder to expand their capabilities prescribing MOUD

An introduction to MOUD depicting the current medications approved by the FDA, including the pharmacology, respective benefits and downsides, and best prescribing practices for each.

1. Understand the current state of the opioid crisis in NC and nationwide
2. Discuss the benefits of prescribing medication for opioid use disorder
3. Compare the current medications available for treating OUD, their respective pharmacology, and best practices for prescribing
4. Utilize factors at the individual level to discern which MOUD is most suitable for a patient, including both social and biological determinants
5. Depict the most effective harm reduction strategies available to people experiencing OUD