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 certified 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 being prescribed and dispensed at an increased rate to help patients cope with pain, anxiety, depression, insomnia, ADHD and myriad other conditions. Prescribing providers of controlled substances are faced with challenges in diagnosis and patient management across a spectrum of diverse patients and clinical settings.

Controlled medications are unique in that they are frequently abused directly or through diversion. It is critical that prescribers be familiar with current practice guidelines and recommendations in order to stay up to date with best practices across an array of clinical scenarios. It is also important for the prescriber to continually improve their skills in caring for patients in practice settings that may not completely align with established guidelines, thereby calling for insight and professional judgment on how best to proceed.

This activity will review cutting edge, best practice recommendations and guidelines across a variety of diagnostic and clinical settings that challenge the prescribing provider. These include clinical areas such as treatment of acute and chronic pain, identification and treatment of substance use disorders, distinguishing how to safely prescribe via telehealth, reviewing the application, approval, and renewal process for the QACSC/LPSP, and addressing unique populations such as hospice patients.

Participant Learning Objectives

After attending this course, participants will be able to:

• Describe the pharmacology of benzodiazepines and psychostimulants that result in them being classified as controlled substances, 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 the characteristics of a dopamine surge in the midbrain, and discuss how this relates to the development of addictive disease and implications for prescribing controlled substances 
• Recognize the characteristics of a controlled substance-seeking patient while keeping your practice from becoming an easy target for controlled substances diversion
• Recognize the addictive potential of common psychotropic medications
• 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 substance via telehealth, ensuring proper monitoring and documentation
• Identify key considerations for effective collaboration between physicians and advanced practice providers in the prescribing of controlled substances.
• Describe the clinical guidelines for testosterone prescribing, including potential risks, and monitoring strategies to ensure safe and effective treatment for patients

Click here for evaluation link for Aug. 1-3 seminar

CLICK HERE FOR AUG 2025 AGENDA

CLICK HERE FOR AUG 2025 SEMINAR MATERIALS

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.

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.

The AAFP has reviewed Prescribing and Pharmacology of Controlled Substances: Current Issues and Strategies for Successful Patient Care, and deemed it acceptable for AAFP credit. Term of approval is from 03/01/2025 to 11/23/2025. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

The August 1-3, 2025, session is approved for 12 live AAFP Prescribed credits.

MOC Recognition 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 and ABIM MOC credit and ABSCC credit.

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.

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.