Understanding Kratom: Use, Abuse, and Regulation- Webinar

Title: Understanding Kratom: Use, Abuse, and Regulation

Date: October 21, 2026

Time: 12:00pm-1:00pm

About the Presentation:

As kratom and 7-hydroxymitragynine gain popularity as unregulated products marketed for pain relief and opioid withdrawal management, behavioral health and healthcare professionals are increasingly encountering related misuse, dependence, and withdrawal. This training examines the pharmacology, risks, and treatment considerations associated with these substances. Participants will examine national poison center trends, FDA reports, and real-world clinical cases to better understand the growing public health implications of these substances and the challenges involved in managing kratom use disorder. Attendees will leave with practical, evidence-informed strategies to recognize kratom use, assess withdrawal symptoms, counsel individuals about potential risks, and develop effective treatment plans for those experiencing dependence or addiction.

About the Presenter:

Jennifer Radzinski, PharmD, BCPP

Behavioral Health Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner

Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center

Jennifer Radzinski is a board certified psychiatric clinical pharmacist practitioner at the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center in Philadelphia. She completed her Doctorate of Pharmacy degree at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, followed by a PGY 1 pharmacy practice residency at the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center and a PGY 2 psychiatric pharmacy residency at the Columbia VA Health Care System. She currently practices in the outpatient mental health clinic with a focus on treatment resistant depression, where she provides advanced pharmacotherapy management, esketamine monitoring, and pharmacogenomic guided care. Since 2019, Dr. Radzinski has held roles across inpatient psychiatry, academic detailing, outpatient mental health, and residential rehabilitation, contributing expertise in medication optimization, psychotropic co management, provider education, and quality improvement. Her work centers on improving outcomes for Veterans with complex psychiatric needs.

 

Registration:

👉 Register HERE for the training     

  

Audience:

This free virtual training is open to Community Care Behavioral Health’s provider network, primary contractors, county partners, and other interested individuals. Community Care Behavioral Health is committed to providing universal access to our events. For accommodation requests, please contact Gina Russo at russoge@ccbh.com. Advance notice is required for some accessibility needs.

Important Notes:

• Advanced registration is required. Same-day registration may cause delays in accessing the session.
• Once registered, you will receive a calendar invite with the join link.
• To ensure safety and confidentiality, recording or use of AI tools during the session is not permitted.

Continuing Education Credits:

Approved continuing education details are available on the registration page. To qualify, participants must join via computer or mobile device and remain active for the full session. Phone participation without ability to hear audio and see video will not count toward attendance.

 

UPMC Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences

Physician (CME)

In support of improving patient care, the University of Pittsburgh is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

 

The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

 

University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work

Licensed/Clinical Social Workers, Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists: LSW/LCSW/LPC/LMFT

This program is offered for 1.5 hours of social work continuing education through the co-sponsorship of the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work, a Council on Social Work Education accredited and Pennsylvania pre-approved continuing education provider for LSW, LCSW, LPC, and LMFT. These credit hours satisfy requirements for LSW/LCSW, LMFT, and LPC biennial license renewal. For information on social work continuing education please visit socialwork.pitt.edu/continuing-ed.

 

Education and Consultative Services of UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital

Mental Health Professionals/ Certified Peer Specialists/ Nurses: General CEU

Other health care professionals are awarded 1.5 Continuing Education Units. One CEU is equal to 10 contact hours. Nurses: These hours may be considered eligible in completing the 30 hours of continuing education required for bi-annual nursing re-licensure in Pennsylvania. Peer Specialists: This program fulfills requirements for Certified Peer Specialist continuing education. 

 

National Certified Counselors

Education and Consultative Services of UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 5059. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Education and Consultative Services of UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital is solely responsible for all aspects of this program. This program is being offered for 1.5 continuing education hours.

 

Psychologists

As a Jointly Accredited Organization, University of Pittsburgh is approved to offer psychology continuing education by the American Psychological Association. University of Pittsburgh maintains responsibility for this course. Psychologists completing this course receive 1.5 continuing education credits. 

 

Pennsylvania Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services

Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Providers

Pennsylvania Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services is approved by the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Foundation (Provider #4875530-2016) to sponsor 1.5 continuing education hours for Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioners and Certified Child and Family Resiliency Practitioners or PRA Certification Candidates for this event. Pennsylvania Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services maintains responsibility for the program and its content of this event.