Type 2 diabetes mellitus and increased risk of substance use disorder development: an educational module to promote assessment implementation in endocrinological settings

Prominent co-morbid relationships exist between substance use disorders (SUDs) and many psychiatric disorders, including conditions such as major depression and generalized anxiety disorder. Recent research introduces the idea that substance use disorders may also have physiological co-morbidities, in particular type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A conglomerate of studies suggest increased prevalence rates of tobacco use disorder (TUD), alcohol use disorder (AUD), opioid use disorder (OUD), and cocaine use disorder (CUD) among adults with T2DM, resulting in long-term, diabetes-specific health complications. This study proposes the development of an educational webinar for health care professionals working with T2DM adult populations, to increase baseline education and promote the incorporation of SUD assessments into regular T2DM visits. The efficacy of the educational webinar will be reflected by the participants' change in score from pre- to post-educational survey. The purpose of this study is to increase provider education on co-morbid SUDs and T2DM and to implement relevant assessment for this clinical population. The implications of this study could be significant, as an increase in provider education and assessment implementation can result in earlier intervention, improving the health-related quality of life for adults with co-morbid T2DM and SUDs.