The Substance-Use Sequence program is designed to train practicing nurse practitioners across all specialties to intervene with substance use and behavioral addictions in patients across the lifespan. The Program enriches students’ understanding of the intersection of mental health problems with substance use disorders. The Program focuses on contemporary holistic and evidence-based interventions across the lifespan, including screening, assessment, and psychotherapeutic and medication-assisted treatments. Students will learn about policy implications and involvement in national and international organizations that serve to shape the future of substance use and mental health treatment. The Program can be completed in three semesters and consists of three courses: A foundational course in mental health (for non-psychiatric clinicians); a substance-related and other addictions lecture course; and a 100-hour clinical component. The clinical hours may be used toward the required hours for the advanced practice nursing certification offered by the Addictions Nursing Certification Board
Highlights
- Opportunity to learn from experienced, nationally renowned faculty who are both academicians and practicing psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners with specialties in addictions.
- Ability to develop specialized expertise in substance use and addictive disorders, and other mental health problems.
- Opportunity to apply to complete a mentored addictions research program (SARET) with NYU Langone, publish articles, speak at state and national conferences, and serve as leaders in psychiatric nursing organizations.
Goals
- Apply concepts related to the neurobiological processes underlying substance use disorders, the role of genetics, and cross-cultural aspects of addiction to the treatment of patients with substance-related and other addictive disorders.
- Integrate current evidence-based treatment modalities available for individuals with substance use disorders including medication-assisted treatments (including buprenorphine waiver training), motivational interviewing, and individual and group psychotherapies as relevant to the scope of practice.
- Develop and use evidence-based practice protocols based on an analysis and synthesis of theory and research literature related to the interdisciplinary substance-related disorders treatment plans for target populations.
- Provide holistic, evidence-based identification, assessment, and treatment for substance-related and other addictive disorders across the lifespan to all individuals, including special populations with substance use disorders, dually diagnosed individuals, women, adolescents, LGBTQ, minorities, and the special needs of medical professionals with substance use disorders.
- Engage in interprofessional collaboration to deliver substance-related and other addictions-focused care.
- Identify and address disparities related to mental health and substance-related problems to improve outcomes for their patients, families, and communities.
- Apply an understanding of historical policy implications to advance the treatment of persons with substance-related and addictive disorders.
Practicum opportunities
- All practicum placements are arranged by the Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders program faculty
- Supervision is provided by licensed clinicians at diverse practicum sites representing the full array of substance use treatment facilities throughout the New York metropolitan area.
- Inpatient facilities, outpatient clinics, residential facilities, and buprenorphine clinics
- Specialized populations such as pregnant women, parolees, and sex offenders, and individuals with other significant trauma histories