- Credit Hours: 3 Hours
- Author: Scott Spiers
- Price: $39.00
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Describe the four waves of the U.S. opioid crisis and explain how drug trends have evolved from prescription opioids through the current era of polysubstance use involving stimulants and synthetics.
- Identify the most frequently misused substances encountered in clinical and criminal justice settings, including current facts, figures, and epidemiological patterns.
- Explain the Integrated Public Health model for drug policy, including harm reduction, Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), and Recovery-Oriented Systems of Care (ROSC).
- Analyze the challenges and failures of previous drug control strategies, including mass incarceration and its impact on substance-abusing populations.
- Describe modern demand reduction strategies, including the evolution of drug courts, contingency management, and science-based prevention frameworks.
- Apply current knowledge of drug trends and policy developments to inform clinical practice and client education in substance abuse treatment settings.
Package Contents
Course Update
Course Description: Retraining and Updating on Currently Abused Drugs (Revised 2026) covers current patterns of substance misuse, including how those patterns vary by region and shift over time in distinct epidemiological waves, drawing on national surveys and recent clinical research. It is designed for addiction professionals and substance abuse counselors who work in clinical or criminal justice settings and need to keep their knowledge current across a range of commonly encountered substances. The course consolidates information from government publications and research into a single focused session, helping practitioners stay informed without having to track down widely dispersed sources themselves.
Date: Ongoing
Distance Learning Method: Asynchronous Reading/Video
Target Audience: Social Workers, Substance Abuse Counselors, Criminal Justice Professionals
Refund Policy: If you request a refund within 30 days of placing your order (and prior to submitting any exams / completing any courses) we will gladly issue a refund of your money, less the processing fee and handling charge.
Course Interactivity: None
Posttest Requirements: Must score 80% or better to pass. Tests can be taken multiple times to obtain passing score.
Course Completion Requirements: Passing score on posttest. Submission of course evaluation. Course date of completion is recorded at this point.
Certificate of Completion: Issued when course is completed, available for download in Student Center
System Requirements: Internet access
About the Instructor
Scott Spiers
Scott Spiers, LCAS, CCS, is a clinician, clinical supervisor, and counselor educator with over 20 years of experience in behavioral health and addiction treatment. He earned a B.A. from American Military University and a Master’s degree in Addiction Studies from the University of South Dakota.
Licensed in North Carolina as a Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist (LCAS) and credentialed as a Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS), Scott has extensive experience in opioid treatment programs, specifically methadone maintenance settings, where he has served as both a clinical supervisor and program director. His clinical and leadership work emphasizes ethical, evidence-based care, high-quality supervision, and translating professional standards into day-to-day practice.
Scott has taught at Coastal Carolina Community College and focuses on counselor exam preparation and professional development, with particular attention to ethics, clinical reasoning, and practical application in real-world treatment environments. He also produces educational content through the LeeBella YouTube channel, supporting counselors with accessible instruction on addiction counseling, ethics, and exam readiness.
Scott brings a practice-grounded perspective to continuing education that integrates clinical leadership, supervision, and counselor education.
Approved and Widely Recognized
CEU Matrix is approved by the following national and state accreditation boards:
CEU Matrix is approved with the following state boards:
Arkansas (ASACB), California (CCAPP #OS-07-394-0222), California (CADTP #250), Connecticut (#0115-5202), Delaware (DCB #37), Florida (FCB #5141-A), Georgia (ADACBGA #2026-4-003), Illinois (IAODAPCA #19345), Kentucky, Louisiana (LA ADRA #E026), Michigan (MCBAP), Missouri (Missouri CB #183), New Mexico (NMCBBHP #2046), North Carolina (NCSAPPB), Ohio (OCDP #50-19236), Oklahoma (OBLADS #20260153), Texas (TCB #1758-07)
