Adolescent Substance Use: Rapid Identification, Acute Management, and Emerging Trends - March 31, 2026

A 2-Hour Training with Laura K. Grubb, MD, MPH, FAAP

Virtual via Zoom | 10:00am-12:00pm

This training is funded by the New England ATTC and a SOR grant

Presentation: This training provides a comprehensive, clinically practical overview of adolescent substance use as a pediatric public health issue, spanning commonly misused substances through emerging substance trends. Participants will examine developmental risk factors and epidemiology, learn to identify early warning signs of misuse, and apply validated screening tools such as the CRAFFT. The session reviews the pharmacology, patterns of use, street names, and acute effects of cannabis, stimulants, opioids, inhalants, hallucinogens, and emerging substances. Using real-world case examples, the presentation emphasizes rapid assessment, recognition of intoxication, withdrawal, and toxicity, and evidence-based strategies for stabilization, acute management, overdose prevention, and referral to treatment and recovery supports in primary care, emergency, and behavioral health settings.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

1. Describe developmental, epidemiologic, and substance-specific factors influencing adolescent substance use, including emerging substances;
2. Identify clinical signs of misuse, intoxication, withdrawal, and toxicity across substance categories, and apply validated screening tools (e.g., CRAFFT) to assess risk; and
3. Apply evidence-based strategies for rapid assessment, stabilization, acute management, and referral to appropriate treatment, recovery, and overdose-prevention resources.

2 Contact Hours Available

CRSW Performance Domains: None
LADC/MLADC Categories of Competence: 5, 7 & 14-17
Certified Prevention Specialist Domains: 2 & 6
NBCC: LICSW/L-MFT/LCMHC (Category A) & Psychologist (Category A) 

NH Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counselors Association has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider. ACEP No 6754. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. NHADACA is solely responsible for all aspects of the program.

This course has been approved by New Hampshire Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counselors Association (NHADACA), as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider #23792, NHADACA is responsible for all aspects of the programming.

This training is financed under a contract with the State of NH, Department of Health and Human Services, with funds provided in part by the State of NH and/or such funding sources as were available or required, e.g., the United States Department of Health and Human Services.