New and Upcoming Activities

Motivational interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based approach to guide and enhance conversations when working with patients to promote positive behavior change. Originally developed in the context of treating substance use disorders, MI is a collaborative method of communication that pays particular attention to the language of change. MI helps to strengthen intrinsic motivation for change by exploring the patient’s own reasons for change by communicating the spirit of acceptance, partnership, empowerment, and compassion. This educational activity will introduce key MI concepts, including the four tasks, the spirit of MI, and skills for evoking change talk.

The webinar is intended to explore practical strategies for preventing opioid, stimulant, and other substance use disorders among children and youth affected by addiction in their families and communities. Participants will learn how early exposure to substance use, chronic stress, and community conditions can increase vulnerability over time—and how protective factors like connection, stability, belonging, and healthy coping skills can reduce risk. The session highlights what families, schools, and community helpers can do early to support resilience and interrupt cycles of addiction before they take hold.

This episode examines how these newer compounds differ pharmacologically, why they are more dangerous, and how clinicians can recognize and respond to kratom-related harms. Listeners will gain practical strategies for identifying kratom use disorder, managing withdrawal, and having informed, non-stigmatizing conversations with patients as these products continue to emerge and change.

Join this 1.5‑hour live virtual session featuring a multidisciplinary panel discussing interprofessional approaches to opioid withdrawal assessment. Learn about validated tools to assess opioid withdrawal, and then, through real‑world case examples, discuss professional roles and apply key concepts to practice.

Join this 1.5‑hour live virtual session to delve into the emerging prevalence of medetomidine within the drug supply and strategies to manage medetomidine-opioid withdrawal syndrome. Participants will explore real‑world scenarios through case examples presented by addiction experts, applying key concepts to clinical practice.