Nurses: Introductory Curriculum on Alcohol Use Disorder and Medications for Alcohol Use Disorders

Nurses: Introductory Curriculum on Alcohol Use Disorder and Medications for Alcohol Use Disorders

Created by: American Society of Addiction Medicine

June 2026

Overview

Designed for non‑prescribing nurses (RNs, LPNs/LVNs, and some APRNs) who are new to caring for patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD), this 3-hour and 75-minute curriculum provides the foundational knowledge needed to support high‑quality AUD care. This curriculum features multiple learning formats, including enduring trainings, interactive online modules, mini videos (<10 mins), and downloadable digital resources. 

The target audience for this introductory-level activity is non‑prescribing nurses in outpatient or inpatient settings.

This activity addresses the following ACGME Competencies: Patient Care and Procedural Skills; Medical Knowledge; Interpersonal and Communication Skills; and Systems-Based Practice

Learning Objectives

Upon completion, learners will be able to:

1. Identify a nurse's role in managing patients with alcohol use disorder. 
2. Describe current recommendations for screening patients for alcohol use disorder. 
3. Discuss the three FDA-approved medications for treating AUD. 

Registration Deadline: 06/26/2029

Close Access Date: 07/26/2029

Instructions

1. Click on the Contents tab to begin this activity. 
2. Click the first section, Screening for Alcohol Use Disorder & Withdrawal. On the first component, Enduring Training- The Screening for Harmful Alcohol Use: The How and the Why, click View Video to get started.
3. Expand and click each of the curriculum sections and components to review the enduring trainings, online modules, downloadable digital resources, and mini videos. 
4. Once you've reviewed all sections, click Post-Test, Evaluation & Claim Credit section. 
   1. Click Complete Post Test to answer multiple choice questions. Participants will have 10 attempts to pass and must answer 2 out of 3 questions correctly.
   2. Click Complete GPRA Survey to provide valuable activity feedback.
   3. Click Complete Evaluation to provide valuable activity feedback. Scroll down on all questions as there may be answer options that expand past the size of the window. 
   4. Click the button Claim Medical Credits in the box titled Claim Credits & Certificate. Choose the type of credit and click submit. Click the button View/Print Certificate to save or print your certificate. You can view/print your certificate at any time by visiting the ASAM e-Learning Center, clicking Dashboard, and clicking Transcript/Achievements.

Need Assistance?

For assistance logging in, accessing activities, claiming credit, or for other questions or concerns, please check the FAQ page, or contact pcss@asam.org.

Note for pharmacists: For courses offering CPE Credit, pharmacists must claim credit and provide their eProfile ID and Birthdate via the Pharmacist Survey within 30 days of completing the activity. ASAM will not report CPE Credits claimed 30+ days after activity completion to ACPE. ASAM will not report CPE Credits without accurate and complete information. Courses offering CPE Credit will indicate the amount of credit available for pharmacists on the Credits & Disclosure Tab.

Accreditation & Credits

Joint Accreditation Statement

In support of improving patient care, the American Society of Addiction Medicine is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Credits Available

• Physicians: 5.25 Credits
• Nurses & NPs: 5.25 Nursing Contact Hours
• Pharmacology Hours: 3 Hours
• PAs: 5.25 Credits
• Interprofessional Continuing Education: 5.25 Credits
• Certified Counselors: NBCC Contact Hours Not Offered
   American Society of Addiction Medicine has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7062. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. American Society of Addiction Medicine is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
• NAADAC: CE Credits not offered

Disclosure Information

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In accordance with the disclosure policies of ASAM and Joint Accreditation, the effort is made to ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all accredited continuing education activities. These policies include identifying and mitigating all relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies for those involved in the creation and dissemination of accredited continuing education.

See the attached pdf for a list of disclosures.