Nursing: Addressing substance use in the 21st century.

Over the past two decades, there has shift from focusing on the most severe end of the substance use continuum to earlier detection of persons who are at risk given the consequences associated with alcohol and other drug use. In 2017, the Association for Multidisciplinary Education and Research in Substance Use and Addiction (AMERSA) undertook the development of core competencies for specific disciplines addressing substance use in the 21st century. This article presents the core competencies for nursing in accord with the 16 standards of practice and performance for nursing. The competencies for the registered nurse and the advanced practice nurse are intended to inform and guide nursing practice with a focus on prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery supports for persons who are affected by substance.