Welcome to

Bringing Alcohol and Other Drug Research to Primary Care
Bringing Alcohol and Other Drug Research to Primary Care logo

Alcohol consumption, drug overdose, and youth vaping rates have been surging since before the pandemic began. Primary care practices need efficient and evidence-based tools to address the increased risk of substance-related health problems in their patients.

The Department of Family and Community Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine and Behavioral Health Solutions of South Texas invite you to participate in Bringing Alcohol and Other Drug Research to Primary Care, an online training aimed at disseminating the latest research on alcohol, nicotine, and opioid use prevention and treatment strategies for primary care providers.

This website features a 6-module, CME/CEU-approved, interactive course. You will also find alcohol, nicotine and opioid use disorder resources for healthcare providers and patients.

Post-training, you may opt to receive updates tailored to your practice with our Academic Detailers through 2 asynchronous and 2 brief synchronous contacts over the next 6 months.

Contact our team, based in Houston and the Rio Grande Valley, at the link above for more information.

  What participating providers are saying:

- “Excellent and helpful presentation”
- “Self-study was helpful, given time constraints of [a] live module”
- “Excellent module, user friendly and informative”
- “The academic detailing visit [was] very helpful. I can teach this information to my medical students and residents too.”

Funding provided by the National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (Award Number R25AA028203). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Online Training

This self-paced program includes an Interactive Online Course and the option to opt into academic detailing.

Bringing Alcohol and Other Drug Research to Primary Care is relevant to any healthcare professional that works with patients impacted by substance use.

 Interactive Online Course
Evidence-based Interventions to Address Nicotine, Alcohol, and Other Substance Use in Primary Care

Upon course completion, you are eligible for a $20 gift-certificate and 1-hour of continuing education through either of the following pathways:

  • 1-hour of prescribed CME credit from the American Academy of Family Physicians, which also satisfies 1-hour of the ethics CME requirement for the Texas Medical Board
  • 1-hour of CEU credit - provided for behavioral licensees (Social Work, LCDCs, LPCs, LMFT)

There are 6 self-paced modules that can be completed in any order. You can exit the program at any time, and resume from where you left off.

What you will learn:

With this course you will learn how to incorporate the latest evidence-based practices for addressing substance use problems in the primary care setting.

Syllabus:

Evidence-based Screening for Substance Use in Primary Care

Learning Objectives:

  • Describe the substance use continuum.
  • Define standard drink and excessive drinking levels for healthy adults.
  • List evidence-based screening tools for substance use.
  • Discuss the workflow of substance use screening in the primary care setting.

Completion time: About 10 minutes

Brief Interventions (BI) to Address Substance Use in Primary Care

Learning Objectives:

  • Explain the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) (or Stages of Change).
  • Discuss key principles and practices of Motivational Interviewing (MI).
  • Apply the TTM and MI in conducting brief interventions to address substance use.

Completion time: About 10 minutes

Medication Treatment for Nicotine Use Disorder (NUD) in Primary Care

Learning Objectives:

  • List medication options for treating NUD.
  • Discuss incorporation of medications for nicotine use disorders (MNUD) in primary care.

Completion time: About 5 minutes

Medication Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) in Primary Care

Learning Objectives:

  • List medication options for treating AUD.
  • Discuss incorporation of medications for alcohol use disorders (MAUD) in primary care.

Completion time: About 5 minutes

Medication Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) in Primary Care

Learning Objectives:

  • List medication options for treating OUD.
  • Discuss incorporation of medications for opioid use disorders (MOUD) in primary care.

Completion time: About 5 minutes

Providing Trauma-Informed, Stigma-Free Care

Learning Objectives:

  • Incorporate trauma-informed care for patients including those with substance use disorders in the primary care practice.
  • Recognize and address stigma in the primary care setting associated with persons using substances.

Completion time: About 5 minutes

Post-Training Survey and CME/CEU Certificate

  • Once you have completed all 6 modules you will be directed to the Post-Training Survey to claim your CME/CEU certificate.

Survey completion time: About 10 minutes

Register Now
About
  •  1 hour CME/CEU credit
  •  Satisfies 1 hour of TMB ethics requirement
  •  1 hour to complete
  •  100% Online
  •  Self-Paced
  •  Up to $80 in gift certificates
Resources for Providers
  • Provider Clinical Support Services (PCSS)

    This SAMHSA-sponsored service provides a comprehensive set of resources, trainings, and tools on opioid treatment, including pain management. PCSS also provides access to coaching and mentoring services and offers buprenorphine waiver training for clinicians (physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants).

  • SAMHSA TIP 63: Medications for Opioid Use Disorder

    A comprehensive review with practical information, tools, and resources on screening, assessment of appropriate level of care, MOUD with dosing guidelines, behavioral health therapy, and peer supports.

  • Substance Use Clinician Warmline

    The HRSA-supported Substance Use Warmline provides clinician-to-clinician consultation (via phone or online), assisting primary care clinicians and health center staff in addressing the issues related to treating SUD, chronic pain, and behavioral health.

  • Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution Resource

    Order up to 108 boxes (two doses per box) of naloxone per month, conveniently shipped to your practice for FREE through this UT Health San Antonio School of Nursing sponsored website. Access free opioid overdose and naloxone distribution trainings and additional resources.

  • CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain

    Resources and materials for health professionals prescribing opioid pain medication for patients 18 and older in primary care settings.

  • Update in Federal Register

    Exempts clinicians with other Schedule III medication prescriptive authority from X Waiver requirements in treating up to 30 patients at any given time with buprenorphine for their opioid use disorder.

  • Quick Start Guide

    Includes protocols and forms to facilitate rapid incorporation of buprenorphine OBOT into primary care practices.

Implementation modules
Toolkits
  • Tobacco Cessation Tools & Resources

    This is an AAFP collection of toolkits, coding and payment information, and patient education materials to support patient care strategies for decreasing tobacco and nicotine use.

  • SAMHSA Opioid Overdose Prevention Toolkit

    This toolkit offers strategies to health care providers, communities, and local government officials for developing practices and policies to help prevent and manage opioid-related overdoses and deaths.

  • Practical Tools for Prescribing and Promoting Buprenorphine in Primary Care Settings

    This is the latest SAMHSA publication to provide an all-in-one toolkit for treating patients with opioid use disorder in the primary care practice.

  • SBIRT & Medicare booklet
    This booklet gives the following information about Medicare and Medicaid coverage of SBIRT services:
    • Eligible providers
    • Covered SBIRT services
    • Documenting SBIRT services
    • Billing SBIRT services
    • Dually eligible Medicare-Medicaid beneficiaries
    • Resources
  • UCSF SBIRT app

    Free application for incorporating SBIRT into clinical practice.

Information for Patients
QUICK LINKS
Contact us
Greater Houston Area
Kylie Schaper
Kylie.Schaper@bcm.edu
(713)798-4681
3701 Kirby Dr #600, Houston, TX 77098
Rio Grande Valley
Blanca Martinez
bmartinez@bhsst.org
(956)787-7111 ext. 250
5510 N. Cage Blvd, Pharr, TX 78577
Technical Support
If you need help with registration or login, email us at:
techsupport@bcm-fcm.org

Co-Directors

Photo of Roger Zoorob, MD
Dr. Roger Zoorob, M.D., MPH, FAAFP
is the Richard M. Kleberg, Sr Professor and Chair of the Department of Family and Community Medicine (DFCM) at Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) in Houston, Texas. Dr. Zoorob's special interests are alcohol, tobacco, and opiate use disorders. Besides substance use disorders, Dr. Zoorob’s research includes cancer prevention, evidence-based practice, antibiotic stewardship, health disparities policy and practice, and provider training on addressing behavioral health in the clinic setting. Dr. Zoorob is currently the PI of five grants awarded by HRSA, SAMHSA, and NIAAA, three of which relate to substance use disorders. He is the President of the Annals of Family Medicine Board of Directors and the author of more than 100 publications and book chapters.
Photo of Alicia Kowalchuk, DO
Dr. Alicia Kowalchuk, DO, FASAM
is an Associate Professor with BCM’s DFCM and board certified in both family and addiction medicine. She is medical director of three programs providing treatment and other services to Houston-area community members impacted by substance use and substance use disorders. Additionally, she has current and past research and programs funded by the CDC, NIAAA, NIDA and SAMHSA and numerous peer-reviewed publications.

Team Members

Dr. Kiara K. Spooner, DrPH, MPH, CHES
provides expertise in Academic Detailing and is an Assistant Professor in DFCM at BCM. She is an experienced educator, researcher, epidemiologist and Certified Health Education Specialist who has previously served in a related role, as a trainer of healthcare professionals for a CDC-funded FASD Practice and Implementation Center (PIC) and High Impact Project aimed at integrating alcohol screening and brief intervention into primary care settings. Dr. Spooner’s research is centered on patient-provider communication quality, eHealth technologies, and the reduction of health disparities among racial/ethnic minority and underserved populations.
Photo of Dr. Sandra Gonzalez
Dr. Sandra Gonzalez, PhD, LCSW
provides expertise in Academic Detailing and Qualitative Evaluation and is an Assistant Professor and Licensed Clinical Social Worker in DFCM at BCM in Houston, TX. Dr. Gonzalez has over 16 years of experience in clinical and academic settings with roles as a practicing clinician, researcher, and educator. She is the Director of Behavioral Health for the Baylor Family Medicine Faculty Group Practice and the Director of Operations for the department’s Center for Primary Care, Prevention, and Population Health where she is involved in overseeing many of the department’s research and grant initiatives.
Photo of Maria C. Mejia, MD
Dr. Maria C. Mejia, MD, MPH, FACPM
provides content expertise and serves as a workshop presenter for this program. She is an Associate Professor with BCM’s DFCM and is board certified in both preventive and addiction medicine. She provides treatment for patients with substance use disorders and is a Providers Clinical Support System (PCSS) MAT waiver training instructor. Dr. Mejia has current and past funding from NIH, CDC, SAMSHA, and CPRIT.
Photo of Larissa Grigoryan, MD
Dr. Larissa Grigoryan, MD, PhD
provides expertise in Program Evaluation and is an Assistant Professor in the DFCM at BCM and the Veterans Affairs Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety (IQuESt). She obtained her PhD in epidemiology from the University of Groningen in The Netherlands and completed a Primary Care Research fellowship at BCM in Houston, Texas. Dr. Grigoryan uses her expertise in epidemiology to design and analyze experimental, quasi-experimental and observational studies in primary care, with funding from NIH, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and VA Health Services Research and Development Service.
Photo of Jose G. Gonzalez
Jose G. Gonzalez, LCSW, CCH, DCN
provides RGV program oversight. He holds a B.A. degree from Stanford University, a Master’s of Science degree in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin and is licensed in Texas as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. He is also an ordained deacon serving the Catholic Diocese of Brownsville. Since 1983 he has dedicated his professional career to clinical and prevention services in mental health and substance use disorder services along the Texas-Mexico border. He currently holds the position of Chief Executive Officer since 2001 at Behavioral Health Solutions of South Texas (BHS), a non-profit for prevention, intervention, treatment and research serving Region 11 of south Texas.
Photo of Dr. Namrata Walia, MD
Dr. Namrata Walia, MD, MHA
provides content, web-application development and program evaluation support and is a postdoctoral research fellow in the DFCM at BCM. With a background in Medicine, she has been working in clinical research for the last couple of years and is currently enrolled in the Master of Public Health program at University of Texas Health Sciences in Houston.
Photo of Monica Hernandez Sanchez
Monica Hernandez Sanchez, LCSW-S, ACPS, PSS, CCTSA
serves as Program Manager for the RGV. She earned her Bachelor of Social Work degree in 1998 and a Master of Science in Social Work in 2000 from the University of Texas-Pan American now UTRGV. She is credentialed as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and board approved supervisor, Peer Specialist Supervisor and Advanced Certified Prevention Specialist in the State of Texas, Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist in Addiction, and Internationally Certified Prevention Specialist. Monica has served as Deputy Director with BHS for two years and eleven years as a BHS Director of Programs.
Photo of Blanca Martinez
Blanca Martinez, MA, LCDC
serves as the RGV-based Program Director and Academic Detailing Supervisor. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 2009 and a Master’s of Arts in Clinical Psychology in 2015 from the University of Texas Pan American. She is credentialed as a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor, Peer Specialist Supervisor, and Licensed Professional Counselor-Intern. Blanca has served as Director of Clinical Programs with BHS for 4 years. Her work experience includes the mental health services delivery for adults and youth and a current focus on intervention, treatment, and recovery programs with the substance using population.
Photo of Kylie Schaper
Kylie Schaper, CHES®
serves as Program Coordinator and is a Research Operations Associate in the DFCM at BCM. She previously worked at the City of Houston Health Department (HHD) as a public health educator and as the administrative lead for the HHD Laboratory COVID-19 testing team. She became a Certified Health Education Specialist and interned at the Brazos County Health department before graduating from Texas A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in Community Health in 2018. Kylie is currently attending the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston working towards a Masters of Public Health in Community Health Practice.

Academic Detailers

Photo of Noelia Flores
Noelia Flores, MPH
is an Academic Detailer with BHS in the RGV. Noelia is a Rio Grande Valley native, born in Harlingen and raised in Donna. She studied at the University of Texas at Austin and worked for pharmaceutical companies after completing her Bachelor's degree in human biology. Her passion for public health led Noelia to acquire a Master's Degree in Public Health Policy from the University of Washington in Seattle in 2018. Noelia has extensive volunteer experience ranging from health care settings to animal shelters.
Photo of Maggie Mejia
Maggie L. Mejia, MSW
is an Academic Detailer with BHS in the RGV-Harlingen location. She earned her Bachelor of Social Work degree in 2009 and a Master of Science in Social Work (macro) in 2012 from the University of Texas-Pan American now UTRGV. Prior to BHS, Maggie has 12 years combined experience as a Case Manager in various settings, including hospitals, hospice, a primary care outpatient clinic, behavioral clinic, Aids clinic, and Youth Residential Treatment Center. In 2021, Maggie was certified as a Qualified Mental Health Professional.
Photo of Lisa Webb
Lisa Webb, LCDC
is an Academic Detailer in the DFCM at BCM. She is an experienced SUD clinician, having practiced as a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) for 12 years. Ms. Webb attended the University of North Florida and obtained a BA in Psychology. Before joining Baylor, she was a case manager in the Adult Clinical Services department facilitating SUD treatment in an outpatient setting at a prominent Houston hospital.