Prescription Opioids in Counseling Practice: Risks, Warning Signs, and Diversion
A one-hour course for licensed counselors on prescription opioid drugs: how they create risk, how to distinguish physical dependence from opioid use disorder, the behavioral and physical signs of misuse and addiction that surface in session, what diversion looks like and why clients do it, and a practical response protocol covering screening, the non-judgmental conversation, coordination with prescribers, medications for opioid use disorder, and naloxone. Satisfies the New Jersey professional counselor requirement under N.J.A.C. 13:34-15.2(c) for one contact hour on prescription opioid drugs, including the risks and signs of opioid abuse, addiction, and diversion.
1
CE Hours
4
Modules
16
Quiz Questions
1
Est. Minutes
What you'll learn
- Describe how prescription opioids act on the body and identify the client, dose, and combination factors that raise the risk of overdose and opioid use disorder.
- Distinguish physical dependence from opioid use disorder using DSM-5-TR criteria, and explain why the distinction matters in treatment planning.
- Recognize the behavioral, physical, and relational signs of prescription opioid misuse and addiction as they present in a counseling session.
- Define diversion, identify its common forms and motivations, and respond to suspected diversion without abandoning the therapeutic alliance.
- Apply a step-by-step response protocol: screening, a non-judgmental conversation, consent-based coordination with the prescriber, referral to medications for opioid use disorder, naloxone education, and documentation.
Who it's for
Licensed professional counselors, mental health counselors, clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, and addiction counselors who see clients taking prescription opioids.
Approval & credit
CounselorReady is an NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP #7760). This course awards 1 NBCC-approved CE hour; a certificate is issued on completion. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CounselorReady is solely responsible for all aspects of the program.