Cannabis and Opioids in Chronic Pain Management
Benefits, Risks, and Emerging Evidence
- Speaker:
- Hayden Center, PhD, LPC
- Duration:
- 1 Hour 06 Minutes
- Format:
- Audio and Video
- Copyright:
-
Jul 17, 2026
- Product Code:
- POS150883
- Media Type:
- Digital Seminar
Description
Chronic pain affects millions, and in the midst of the opioid crisis, clinicians are being asked to navigate increasingly complex treatment decisions with limited guidance about the potential for medication misuse and dependence.
And as cannabis use becomes more common among individuals with chronic pain, mental health practitioners are on the front lines of questions about safety, effectiveness, and clinical appropriateness.
In this session, Dr. Hayden Center – substance use disorders expert – breaks down what clinicians actually need to know, cutting through the noise to examine the real benefits, risks, and clinical applications of both cannabis and opioids. You’ll also gain a clearer understanding of the neurobiology driving their effects on pain, mood, and functioning. You’ll learn:
- How to recognize when substance use is shaping pain, mood, and treatment outcomes
- Evidence-informed insights into the benefits and risks of cannabis and opioid use
- Practical strategies for clinical decision-making, including assessing misuse, dependence, tolerance, and withdrawal
Credit
Speaker
Hayden Center, PhD, LPC Related seminars and products
Hayden Center, PhD, LPC, has been treating individuals and families who suffer from substance abuse disorders, including opioid use disorder, for over 25 years in a private practice setting. Dr. Center most recently served as the evaluator for the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention’s (CSAP) Southeast Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies (SECAPT) and the Border Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies (BCAPT).
Dr. Center served as a consultant to the Alabama Governor’s Office of Drug Abuse Policy for 10 years and has worked with numerous state and local agencies in the state of Alabama.
He has provided over 200 trainings on the topics of science-based prevention, evaluation, risk and protective factors, co-occurring disorders, and other mental health and substance abuse issues. His current interests are providing training and technical assistance to increase the usage and effectiveness of evidence-based treatments and approaches.
In addition to his private practice, Dr. Center has taught in university settings for over 28 years. He teaches graduate-level courses in theories of psychotherapy, advanced objective testing, psychopharmacology, and undergraduate courses in psychology at Auburn University in Montgomery, Alabama. He earned his PhD in counselor education and Master of Science in psychology at Auburn University in Montgomery, Alabama.
Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Dr. Hayden Center maintains a private practice and has an employment relationship with the University of Phoenix. He receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. He has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Dr. Hayden Center is a member of the American Counseling Association.
Additional Info
Access for Self-Study (Non-Interactive)Access never expires for this product.
Questions?
Visit our FAQ page at www.pesi.com/faq or contact us at www.pesi.com/info
Objectives
- Analyze the benefits and risks of cannabis and opioid use in the treatment of chronic pain, including misuse, dependence, tolerance, and withdrawal.
- Differentiate the neurobiological effects of cannabis and opioids on the brain and their implications for pain and mental health.
- Apply clinical decision-making by selecting appropriate strategies to assess and address substance use in clients with chronic pain.
Outline
The Scope of the Problem
- Impact of chronic pain on mental, physical, and emotional functioning
- Societal burden of chronic pain
Opioids, Cannabis, and Chronic Pain
- Opioid prescriptions and effectiveness
- Cannabis uses and effectiveness
- Misuse
- Physical dependence, tolerance, and withdrawal
- Neurobiology – pharmacokinetics and psychodynamics
Limitations of the research and potential risks
Target Audience
- Counselors
- Social Workers
- Psychologists
- Psychiatrists
- Marriage and Family Therapists
- Nurses
- Other Mental Health Professionals
Reviews
Satisfaction Guarantee
Your satisfaction is our goal and our guarantee. Concerns should be addressed to: PO Box 1000, Eau Claire, WI 54702-1000 or call 1-800-844-8260.
ADA Needs
We would be happy to accommodate your ADA needs; please call our Customer Service Department for more information at 1-800-844-8260.
PESI Mobile App
Access CE trainings on your phone or tablet through our free mobile app. Choose video or audio-only versions of online courses from the world’s best instructors, and complete your CE requirements anywhere, anytime, at your own pace.
Please wait ...