Recorded: 07/24/2025
CME Credit Expires: 08/01/2026

Presented by: Aaron Newcomb, DO, FAAFP, FASAM, Medical Director, Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program, Shawnee Health Services

Learning Objectives:
Review the relative risks associated with long-term opioid therapy for non-terminal pain management, along with emerging evidence on the risks involved in discontinuing opioids after prolonged use.

In light of current guidelines, explore the individualized, patient-centered, and collaborative approach to managing patients already taking opioids long-term for chronic pain.

Recognize that neither current nor past guidelines have ever recommended the universal tapering or discontinuation of long-term opioid therapy.

Learn to view treatment irregularities like unexpected toxicology results or aberrant prescription drug monitoring data as opportunities to reassess the treatment plan and improve safety rather than as grounds for punitive action or discharge from care.

Recognize the robust evidence supporting medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), such as buprenorphine, and actively seek opportunities to initiate or refer patients for this evidence-based, lifesaving treatment.

Illinois prescribers: This webinar meets Illinois state requirements for safe opioid prescribing, as well as federal training requirements for opioid safety.

Accreditation: The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation: The AAFP has reviewed A Patient-Centered Approach to Opioid Prescribing: Integrating Guidelines, Risk Mitigation, and Addiction Management and deemed it acceptable for up to 1.00 Enduring Materials, Self-Study AAFP Prescribed credit(s). Term of Approval is from 08/01/2025 to 08/01/2026. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

AMA PRA Category 1 - The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians designates this internet enduring activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 credit™.

Speaker & Faculty Disclosures: Aaron Newcomb, DO, FAAFP, FASAM; Josh Carpenter, MD (CME Committee); Kate Valentine and Ginnie Flynn (IAFP Staff) disclosed no relevant financial relationship or interest with a proprietary entity producing, marketing, reselling, or distributing health care goods or services.