Educational Activities Archives

Co-occurring psychiatric conditions are frequently seen in patients with substance use disorders. Clinicians should be alert to the signs and symptoms of common psychiatric disorders and should understand how to distinguish independent psychiatric disorders from substance-induced disorders. Depressive disorders and anxiety disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder, are the most common co-occurring conditions, though ADHD is often encountered across the range of substance use disorders. Substance use disorder patients with co-occurring psychiatric disorders will respond to most standard psychological and pharmacological treatments for these psychiatric conditions, though clinicians should avoid the use of scheduled medications and must always focus on sobriety as a primary treatment goal. Treatment that integrates addiction and psychiatric care is the most effective.

Recent attention has turned to opioid use disorder (OUD) and other substance use disorders (SUDs) as significant and growing health concerns among older adults. Biopsychosocial complications that develop with age, including medical comorbidities and cognitive impairments, contribute to some of the adverse interactions between substance misuse and the aging brain. This webinar will focus on how professionals can effectively work at the intersection of aging, mental health, and substance use, with a specific emphasis on opioid use disorder. Participants will learn practical strategies for assessing, diagnosing, treating, and supporting older clients with OUD or other SUDs, and will be empowered to offer compassionate, evidence-informed, and age-responsive care.

Join Terrence D. Walton, MSW, for a webinar exploring recent research and practical guidance on integrating MOUD with specific counseling interventions to enhance medication adherence, treatment success, recovery capital, and quality of life. The presenter will use research findings and practice wisdom to explain when medication alone may be sufficient and why, for many, a combined approach is essential for thriving recovery. The webinar will also explore implications for treating those with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders.

Rural communities face unique barriers in accessing effective treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD), including limited provider availability, stigma, and geographic isolation. This webinar will explore how medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) can be delivered in rural settings through a combination of clinical innovation, community collaboration, and policy advocacy. Participants will explore examples of how integrated clinical services and medical intervention can improve overall treatment outcomes. The presentation will also emphasize the role of addiction professionals in addressing stigma and systemic issues in rural communities. Practical tools, real-world examples, and strategies for engaging rural communities will be shared to help participants advocate for person-centered, recovery-oriented care in their own settings.

This educational activity, presented by Dr. Phillip Coffin, explores the evolving landscape of methamphetamine use amidst the growing presence of fentanyl. Attendees will gain insights into current morbidity and mortality trends, the physiological mechanisms behind methamphetamine toxicity, and evidence-based interventions for managing methamphetamine use disorder (MeUD). Emphasis will be placed on comprehensive prevention, treatment strategies, and addressing the long-term cardiovascular and neuropsychiatric impacts associated with chronic use.

Provides a basic introduction of the concepts of the disease of addiction and the role of the reward system. Using neuroscience concepts as a foundation, clinical manifestations of the disease of addiction are then discussed in the form of case-based presentations.