The course in Prescribing and Pharmacology of Controlled Substances is designed for physicians in all specialties, as well as physician assistants, certified registered nurse practitioners and nurse midwives, who need or wish to increase their knowledge and ability to effectively prescribe controlled medications that have the potential for misuse and abuse.

Holders of an ACSC: Any two hours of the 12-hour prescribing course meets the ALBME CME rule requiring holders of an ACSC to have, every two years, 2 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ of CME in prescribing controlled substances.
Holders of a QACSC: The 12-hour prescribing course is required for PAs, CRNPs, and CNMs to obtain a QACSC.  To renew a QACSC, PAs, CRNPs and CNMs must attend four hours of the 12-hour prescribing course, or any other Board-approved prescribing controlled substances course, every two years, listed at www.albme.gov/uploads/pdfs/ApprovedCMECourses.pdf. 

Statement of Need

Controlled substances are prescribed widely for conditions such as acute and chronic pain, anxiety, insomnia, ADHD, and treatment-resistant depression. As use increases across diverse clinical settings, prescribers face growing challenges in diagnosis, risk–benefit assessment, regulatory compliance, and patient management. Since controlled medications carry significant potential for misuse and diversion, clinicians must stay current with evolving best-practice guidelines and state and federal requirements.

Several emerging gaps highlight the need for updated education. Clinicians are often unfamiliar with the medical board investigative process, including behaviors that commonly prompt complaints, documentation practices that support compliance, and appropriate communication with investigators. In addition, expanding clinical use of ketamine for pain and treatment-resistant depression requires clearer understanding of its pharmacology, mechanisms of action, and associated risks, including ketamine use disorder. Rising prescribing rates of psychostimulants and benzodiazepines further underscore the need to understand the neurobiological mechanisms of addictive disease and to apply these principles to developmentally appropriate prescribing for both pediatric and adult patients.

Clinicians also continue to encounter challenges in telehealth prescribing, managing controlled substances for unique populations such as those in hospice, and navigating QACSC/LPSP application and renewal processes. This CME activity will address these gaps by providing concise, up-to-date guidance on safe, effective, and compliant controlled substance prescribing across a range of clinical scenarios.

Participant Learning Objectives

After attending this course, participants will be able to:

· Describe the pharmacology of benzodiazepines and psychostimulants which result in them being classified as

controlled drugs, and the implications of this pharmacology for prescribing decisions.

· Identify common substances sold at convenience stores/gas stations and recognize typical clinical presentations of intoxication or withdrawal from these substances.

· Describe the legal complexities of regulation of these compounds on a state and federal level.

· Describe how dopamine surges in the midbrain contribute to the development of addictive disease and discuss how these mechanisms inform safe and developmentally appropriate prescribing of psychostimulants and benzodiazepines in both pediatric and adult patients.

· Recognize the characteristics of a substance-seeking patient while keeping your practice from becoming an easy target for controlled substance diversion.

· Describe best practices when prescribing buprenorphine, including induction strategies and dosing regimens.

· Recognize the potential complications when switching patients from fentanyl or methadone to buprenorphine.

· Explain accessing the PDMP and how it can be used as a clinical tool.

· Review the application, approval, and renewal processes for the QACSC/LPSP.

· Define the rules and protocols that govern controlled prescribing.

· Discuss case management strategies in special situations, such as the elderly, hospice

patients and renal sufficiency.

· Utilize interview techniques for the diagnosis and management of substance use disorder as well as address the needs of individuals with substance use disorder.

· Identify Alabama-specific laws and regulations governing the prescribing of controlled substances via telehealth.

· Distinguish how to safely and legally prescribe controlled substances via telehealth, ensuring proper monitoring and documentation.

· Identify key challenges and opportunities for effective collaboration between physicians and advanced practice providers in the prescribing of controlled substances.

· Explain the scope of prescriptive authority in effective collaboration for patient-centered care.

· Describe the clinical guidelines for testosterone prescribing, including potential risks, and monitoring strategies to ensure safe and effective treatment for patients.

· Explain the role of BME investigators and the steps of the investigation process, including how medical professionals should cooperate during controlled substance prescribing investigations.

· Identify prescribing behaviors that lead to complaints or disciplinary actions and apply strategies to maintain compliance, accurate documentation, and effective communication with investigators.

· Explain the pharmacology of ketamine and the theoretical mechanisms of action in treatment of pain and treatment-resistant depression (TRD).

· Recognize the risks of ketamine including the potential development of ketamine use disorder.

MEETING DATE: MARCH 7-8, 2026

Agenda

Registration Fees: This course is free of charge and available to both physicians and non-physicians.

YOU MUST REGISTER ONLINE (CLICK THIS REGISTRATION LINK)

REGISTRATION CLOSES AT 5:00 P.M. ON SUNDAY, MARCH 1ST. NO REGISTRATIONS WILL BE ALLOWED

ON-SITE.

Click here for March 2026 Agenda

Meeting Location:

Bryant Conference Center | 240 Paul W Bryant Drive | Tuscaloosa, AL 35401

Hotel Information (rooms only):

Hotel Capstone | 320 Paul W Bryant Drive | Tuscaloosa, AL 35401

Room Rate: $185 (plus applicable taxes)

Room Block Group Code: Medical Foundation of Alabama

Room Block Deadline: Friday, February 6, 2026

Reservations: 1-205-752-3200

Credit Designation Statement

The Medical Foundation of Alabama designates this live activity for a maximum of 12 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits ™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Accreditation Statement

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Medical Association of the State of Alabama through the joint providership of the Medical Foundation of Alabama and the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners. The Medical Foundation of Alabama is accredited by the Medical Association of the State of Alabama to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

MOC Designation Statement

Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to:

-12 MOC points in the American Board of Anesthesiology’s (ABA) MOCA 2.0® Maintenance of Certification in Anesthesiology Program® of which 12 credits contribute the patient safety CME; and

-12 MOC points and patient safety MOC credit in the American Board of Internal Medicine's (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program; and

-12 CME credits toward the American Board of Surgery’s Continuous Certification (ABSCC) program.

It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABA, ABIM MOC credit and ABSCC credit.

CME Transcripts

Transcripts will be available for download from the Medical Association of the State of Alabama website six (6) weeks after the date of the educational event. Print or download your CME transcript at www.alamedical.org/CMEtranscript.  Questions? Contact the Medical Association Education Department at (334) 954-2519.