This manual offers guidelines for working with suicidal adults living with substance use disorders. It covers risk factors and warning signs for suicide, core competencies, and clinical vignettes.

Format: Reading-based, asynchronous, distance, non-interactive

Updated by SAMHSA in 2017.  References updated 2020.

Content Category: Clinical Intake and Assessment; Clinical; Counseling Services; Suicide; Treatment plan

NAADAC Online CE Completion limits: There is a limit of 8 hours (8 CE) of credit for online courses within a 24-hour period.

Click here to view our policy on Fees, Refunds, and Cancellations 

The course will be available in your account immediately after purchase. The Course Completion Certificate and Letter of Completion will be immediately available in your account upon successful completion of the course post-test (a score of 80% or higher) and completion of the course evaluation. You will have unlimited attempts to pass the post-test.

Do you have questions about this course? Do you require accessibility accommodations? Please visit our FAQ page or Contact Us and we'll be happy to help.

American Psychological Association (APA)

At Health, LLC is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. At Health, LLC maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)

At Health, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6949. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. At Health, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

NAADAC – The Association for Addiction Professionals

Athealth.com is approved as a continuing education provider by the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors, the Association for Addiction Professionals. #148460.

Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)

At Health, LLC, Provider #1707, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 5/3/2023–5/3/2026.

Page last modified or reviewed by athealth.com on Apr 10, 2026.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Public Health Service
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Center for Substance Abuse Treatment
1 Choke Cherry Road
Rockville, MD 20857

Consensus Panel

Note: The information given indicates each participant's affiliation during the time the panel was convened and
may no longer reflect the individual's current affiliation.

Chair, Part 1 and Part 2 Consensus Panels

Kenneth R. Conner, Psy.D., M.P.H., Associate Professor of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York

Part 1 Consensus Panel Members

Bruce Carruth, Ph.D., KAP Expert Content Director, The CDM Group, Inc., Bethesda, Maryland

Sean Joe, Ph.D., M.S.W., School of Social Work, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan

M. David Rudd, Ph.D., ABPP, Texas Tech University, Department of Psychology, Lubbock, Texas

Barbara M. Teal, M.A., M.B.A., ICADC, CET II, Consultant, Rehoboth, Texas

James D. Wines, Jr., MD., M.P.H., McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Research Center (ADARC), Belmont, Massachusetts

Part 2 Consensus Panel Members 

Bruce Carruth, Ph.D., KAP Expert Content Director, The CDM Group, Inc., Bethesda, Maryland

Lisa Laitman, M.S.Ed., LCADC; Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Rutgers Health Services, Alcohol and Other Drug Assistance Program for Students, New Brunswick, New Jersey

Edna Meziere, M.S., M.L.S., R.N., Consultant, Tulsa, Oklahoma

To access and complete this course, your device must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Browser: A modern web browser (Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, or Apple Safari — current or one version prior). Internet Explorer is not supported.
• JavaScript: JavaScript must be enabled in your browser settings to navigate lessons, take quizzes, and access course materials.
• PDF Viewer: A PDF viewer is required to open course handouts, transcripts, and certificates. Most browsers include a built-in PDF viewer; alternatively, Adobe Acrobat Reader (free) can be used.
• Cookies: Cookies must be enabled to maintain your login session and save your course progress.
• Internet Connection: A stable internet connection is required. Video and audio courses may require higher bandwidth for smooth playback.

If you experience technical difficulties, please contact our support team for assistance.