Intensive Course in Controlled Substance Prescribing

Virtual Course Broadcast Live from Cleveland, Ohio

Controlled substances are prescribed and dispensed today at an increasing rate to help patients cope with pain, insomnia, anxiety, depression, ADHD, and a myriad of other disorders. Studies show that most practitioners are rather conservative when prescribing controlled drugs while a small number are at times overly aggressive. In addition, controlled prescription medications are falling into the hands of increasing numbers of prescription drug abusers. How can the practitioner more effectively understand the pharmacologic profiles for controlled drugs, identify diagnostic criteria for appropriate prescribing, and consider the therapeutic implications of specific substance use by individual patients? This special intensive course has been developed to enhance the practitioner’s ability to effectively prescribe controlled medications, while minimizing their misuse whenever possible.

Educational Design and Methodology
The course combines lectures, participative discussions, case studies, pre and posttest, a personal case-based reflective essay, and individual skill practice with standardized patients and simulations to create an intensive interactive learning environment. 

Simulation Experience 
An opportunity on Day 2 and 3 to practice the clinical reasoning skills involved in controlled drug prescribing decisions with a standardized patient, focusing on areas such as informed consent, addictive disease, opioids and benzodiazepines, insomnia and non compliance. 

Post Course 
Four months post-course, we offer a chart review, assessment of prescribing practices and feedback from CWRU faculty for a fee of $500.

Monday, October 27, 2025, 8:00 AM - Wednesday, October 29, 2025, 3:30 PM, Broadcast Live Virtually

1. Describe the pharmacologic profiles of benzodiazepines, opiates and other controlled drugs
2. Identify the diagnostic criteria for substance abuse, anxiety disorder, acute and chronic pain, insomnia, and depression
3. Employ interviewing techniques relating to the diagnosis and management of substance abuse in general and prescription drug abusers in particular
4. Discuss case management strategies for the above diagnoses
5. Discuss beliefs, stereotypes, and attitudes about controlled substance prescribing, controlled drug abusers, and chemical dependency, and consider the therapeutic implications of treatments based on these beliefs

The registration fee for this course is $1900.

Registration will close 10/24/25.

An administrative fee of $250 will be deducted from refunds for cancellations made within 14 days of the course.  All requests for refunds must be sent via email to [email protected].

Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (23.75 hours), Non-Physician Attendance (23.75 hours)

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Mitigation of Relevant Financial Relationships

CWRU School of Medicine adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity, including faculty, planners, reviewers or others are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.