Course Description
Sleep disturbances are a common complaint from patients diagnosed with a substance use disorder. Appropriate pharmacotherapy treatment options can be difficult to determine when trying to avoid medications that may have misuse potential. It can also be challenging to determine whether to treat the sleep disturbance or to focus on treatment of the substance use disorder. Benefit from an overview of the alterations in sleep physiology caused by substance use and gain insights on pharmacotherapy options that may be considered in this population. You will also learn to identify the appropriateness of sleep disturbance treatment, particularly when substance use may still be ongoing.
References of Published Research by Dr. Conroy Related to this Topic:
- Conroy DA. The Role of Sleep on the Pathway to Substance Abuse in Teens. J Adolesc Health. 2017 Feb;60(2):129-130. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2016.11.011. PMID: 28109449.
- Conroy DA, Kurth ME, Strong DR, Brower KJ, Stein MD. Marijuana use patterns and sleep among community-based young adults. J Addict Dis. 2016;35(2):135-43. doi: 10.1080/10550887.2015.1132986. Epub 2016 Jan 4. PMID: 26727193; PMCID: PMC4911998.
- Conroy DA. Using Sleep as a Window into Early Brain Recovery from Alcoholism. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2015 Oct;39(10):1904-7. doi: 10.1111/acer.12849. Epub 2015 Sep 1. PMID: 26332517.
- Conroy DA, Kurth ME, Brower KJ, Strong DR, Stein MD. Impact of marijuana use on self-rated cognition in young adult men and women. Am J Addict. 2015 Mar;24(2):160-165. doi: 10.1111/ajad.12157. PMID: 25864605; PMCID: PMC4405176. Conroy DA, Arnedt JT. Sleep and substance use disorders: an update. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2014 Oct;16(10):487. doi: 10.1007/s11920-014-0487-3. PMID: 25135784.
- Conroy DA, Hairston IS, Arnedt JT, Hoffmann RF, Armitage R, Brower KJ. Dim light melatonin onset in alcohol-dependent men and women compared with healthy controls. Chronobiol Int. 2012 Feb;29(1):35-42. doi: 10.3109/07420528.2011.636852. PMID: 22217099; PMCID: PMC4258345.
- Conroy DA, Brower KJ. Alcohol, toxins, and medications as a cause of sleep dysfunction. Handb Clin Neurol. 2011;98:587-612. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-444-52006-7.00038-1. PMID: 21056213.
- Conroy DA, Todd Arnedt J, Brower KJ, Strobbe S, Consens F, Hoffmann R, Armitage R. Perception of sleep in recovering alcohol-dependent patients with insomnia: relationship with future drinking. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2006 Dec;30(12):1992-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1530-0277.2006.00245.x. Erratum in: Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2007 May;31(5):907. PMID: 17117964; PMCID: PMC2935463.
Learning Objectives
- Describe the alterations in sleep physiology in patients using substances.
- Interpret the appropriateness of sleep disturbance treatment in patients with substance use disorders (SUDs).
- Design a pharmacotherapy plan appropriate for the treatment of sleep disturbances in a patient with SUDs.
Target Audience
If you are a pharmacist, nurse practitioner, or other health care professional involved in the comprehensive medication management of individuals living with mental health and/or substance use disorders, we invite you to participate in this online course.
Faculty
View biographical information
Deirdre A. Conroy, PhD
Clinical Professor of Psychiatry
Michigan Medicine
Ann Arbor, MI
Dr. Conroy is a Clinical Professor at Michigan Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry. She received her BS from Simmons University in Boston, MA and her doctorate in psychology from the City University of New York. She then completed a T-32 research post-doctoral fellow at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, on the relationship between insomnia and alcohol use disorders. Dr. Conroy provides clinical care to patients with sleep disorders in the Behavioral Sleep Medicine Program in Psychiatry. She also works as an integrative nutrition health coach through her business, Happy Healthy Rested LLC. Dr. Conroy’s research interests are in insomnia and psychiatric disorders. Dr. Conroy is a diplomate of the American Board of Sleep Medicine, a diplomate of the Board of Behavioral Sleep Medicine, and is board certified in cognitive behavioral therapy by the American Board of Professional Psychology.
Course Requirements
To receive ACPE credit for this session, you must:
- Register for this course.
- Review the full content of the activity and reflect upon its teachings.
- Complete the evaluation at the end of the activity.
- Provide the necessary details in your profile to ensure correct reporting by AAPP to CPE Monitor.
Continuing Education Credit and Disclosures
Activity Date: 11/04/2021
ACPE Contact Hours: 1
ACPE Number: 0284-0000-21-055-H01-P (Application)
Nursing Credit Reminder: Note that ACPE credit is accepted for ANCC Certification Renewal and AANPCB advanced practice provider content. For specific questions related to your organization's acceptance of ACPE continuing education units, please contact your organization directly.
The College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.
AAPP owns the copyright, is licensed or has received permissions for use of, or is otherwise permitted to use copyrighted materials within any CPE activity. Authors and speakers are required to obtain necessary copyright permissions for content in CPE activities. AAPP complies with copyright laws and regulations.
View disclaimer and disclosure of off-label use
Off-Label Use: This educational activity may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the FDA (see faculty information). The opinions expressed in the educational activity do not necessarily represent the views of AAPP and any educational partners. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.
Disclaimer: Participants have an implied responsibility to use the newly acquired information to enhance patient outcomes and their own professional development. Any procedures, medications, or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed or suggested in this activity should not be used by clinicians without evaluation of their patient’s conditions and possible contraindications on dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer’s product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.
Presentation-Specific Disclosure: This presentation will include discussion of off-label, experimental, and /or investigational use of drugs or devices: gabapentin, pregabalin, trazodone, quetiapine for sleep
View fair balance and integrity statement
It is the policy of AAPP to ensure independence, balance, objectivity, scientific rigor, and integrity in continuing education activities. Those involved in the development of this continuing education activity have made all reasonable efforts to ensure that information contained herein is accurate in accordance with the latest available scientific knowledge at the time of accreditation of this continuing education activity. Information regarding drugs (e.g., their administration, dosages, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, special warnings, and precautions) and drug delivery systems is subject to change, however, and the reader is advised to check the manufacturer’s package insert for information concerning recommended dosage and potential problems or cautions prior to dispensing or administering the drug or using the drug delivery systems.
Fair balance is achieved through ongoing and thorough review of all materials produced by faculty, and all educational and advertising materials produced by supporting organizations, prior to educational offerings. Approval of credit for this continuing education activity does not imply endorsement by AAPP for any product or manufacturer identified.