RapidLearn Series

Introducing a new way to learn, on your time, at your pace. The Drug User Health Learning Institute now offers RapidLearn microlearning sessions intentionally designed to meet the needs of a time-constrained workforce. These short, focused modules deliver essential knowledge in minutes, making it easier than ever to stay informed.

Whether you’re in between appointments, in the field, or balancing multiple responsibilities, these brief sessions provide quick access to practical, high-impact information you can apply immediately.

Microlearning empowers you to build skills, stay current, and strengthen your practice efficiently and effectively.

With four (4) RapidLearn series tracks reflecting popular themes in drug user health, learners are prepared to facilitate better client engagement, crucial ongoing learning, and more effective community engagement in drug user health.

Track 1: Enhancing Substance Use Disorder Care Through Screening, Access, and Partnerships Series

This microlearning series explores practical, evidence-based strategies to strengthen substance use disorder care and overdose prevention efforts. Learners will gain insight into implementing patient-centered screening tools for stimulant use disorder, improving access to care for people with substance use disorders, and developing effective partnerships that address gaps in overdose prevention services. Through a focus on integrated, nonjudgmental, and collaborative approaches, this series equips participants with strategies to enhance engagement, expand service delivery, and improve health outcomes across the continuum of care.

Access Track 1

Screening to Improve Longitudinal Care for Opioid Use Disorder and Stimulant Use Disorder

Access this Module

This microlearning module highlights practical, evidence-based screening tools specifically designed to identify stimulant use disorder, with an emphasis on integrating these tools into existing workflows in a nonjudgmental and patient-centered manner.

Learning Objective:

Identify effective tools to screen for SUD.

Faculty: Derek Blevins, MD, Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Columbia University Dept of Psychiatry

Improving Access to Care for People with Substance Use Disorder

Access this Module

This microlearning module explores strategies to improve access to care for people with substance use disorder.

Learning Objective:

Recognize opportunities and barriers to care for people with SUD/OUD.

Faculty: Myra L. Mathis, MD, Assistant Professor and board-certified General Adult and Addiction Psychiatrist, University of Rochester Department of Psychiatry.

Evaluating and Developing Current and Potential Partnerships that Close Gaps in Overdose Prevention Services

Access this Module

This microlearning module focuses on strengthening collaborations to address gaps in overdose prevention services.

Learning Objectives:

Recognize the components of a strategic partnership.
Describe the process of developing new partnerships.

Faculty: Chantil Thomas, MA

Track 2: Crisis Intervention Series

This microlearning series explores the foundational concepts, terminology, and provider roles that support effective crisis intervention, conflict resolution, and de-escalation efforts. Learners will examine how communication barriers, misaligned priorities, and provider perspectives can influence interactions with community members, while developing strategies to build trust, improve communication, and navigate challenging situations more effectively. Through a focus on positive de-escalation techniques, conflict resolution approaches, and supportive communication methods, this series equips participants with practical skills to foster safer, more responsive, and person-centered interactions.

Access Track 2

Shared Language for Crisis Intervention & De-Escalation

Access this Module

This micro-learning module explores key intervention terminology and provider roles to strengthen communication and effectively support community members during crisis intervention and de-escalation efforts.

Learning Objective:

Demonstrate understanding of the intervention terminology and provider roles in order to effectively support community members.

Faculty: Dr. Ashley Elliott

From Conflict to Connection: Meeting People Where They Are

Access this Module

This microlearning module explores how misaligned priorities, communication barriers, and provider perspectives can impact conflict resolution and de-escalation efforts, while learning strategies to build trust, improve communication, and support community members more effectively.

Learning Objective:

Identify barriers that impact communication, conflict resolution, and de-escalation efforts.

Faculty: Dr. Ashley Elliott

Beyond the Crisis: Responding with Intention

Access this Module

This microlearning module strengthens understanding of positive and negative de-escalation, conflict resolution, and crisis intervention strategies. It also explores effective communication methods that promote a more supportive environment for community members.

Learning Objectives:

Explore practical examples of positive intervention strategies for low-risk, medium-risk, and high-risk consumers/community members.
Demonstrate understanding of person-centered communication, professional roles, and collaborative intervention approaches during crisis response situations.

Faculty: Dr. Ashley Elliott

Track 3: Sexual Health for People Who Use Drugs Series

This microlearning series explores the intersection of substance use, sexual health, and drug user health through a client-centered, nonjudgmental lens. Learners will examine how substance use can influence decision-making, intimacy, partner selection, and sexual behaviors, while considering the roles of trauma, spontaneity, and present-focused thinking in shaping health-related choices. The series also highlights practical strategies to support HIV/STI prevention, overdose prevention, and safer substance use practices, emphasizing autonomy, feasibility, stigma reduction, and the importance of incorporating intimacy and individual goals into care and prevention planning.

Access Track 3

Prevention That Meets People Where They Are

Access this Module

This session explores the intersection of substance use, sexual health, and drug user health through a client-centered lens. Participants will examine practical strategies to support HIV/STI prevention, overdose prevention, and safer substance use practices while emphasizing autonomy, feasibility, stigma reduction, and the importance of intimacy in care and prevention planning.

Learning Objectives:

Identify at least two client-centered strategies that support sexual health and overdose prevention for people who use drugs.
Explore realistic and nonjudgmental approaches to prevention planning that align with a client’s needs, goals, and circumstances.

Faculty: Dr. Monica Ruiz

Beyond Risk: The Intersection of Sexual Health and Substance Use

Access this Module

This module examines how substance use and sexual behavior intersect in real-world contexts, including how drugs can influence decision-making, intimacy, partner selection, and risk-taking. It also explores the roles of trauma, spontaneity, and present-focused thinking in shaping sexual and drug-related behaviors, and reinforces the importance of client-centered, nonjudgmental approaches to care.

Learning Objectives:

Describe at least three ways substance use can influence sexual decision-making and risk behaviors.
Identify key contextual factors (e.g., intimacy, trauma, delayed discounting) that shape overlapping substance use and sexual health behaviors.

Faculty: Dr. Monica Ruiz

Track 4: Introduction to Drug User Health: What Every Provider Should Know Series

This microlearning series provides a foundational overview of substance use and the health considerations associated with different substances and methods of administration. Learners will explore the characteristics, effects, and common routes of use for opioids, sedatives, cocaine, crack cocaine, and methamphetamine, as well as the health risks associated with various methods of intake. The series also highlights practical strategies to reduce negative health consequences, promote safer use practices, and strengthen understanding of the unique challenges and needs of communities impacted by substance use.

Access Track 4

Introduction to Drug User Health: What Every Provider Should Know

Access this Module

This microlearning module highlights a basic understanding of substance use, how drugs are taken, and the specific health risks associated with the method of intake.

Learning Objectives:

Identify a continuum of drug use.
Describe the methods of intake and associated risks.