Time Eastern	Wednesday, August 5 Subject to change
3 - 5pm	ASAN Board of Directors Meeting Invitation only
6 - 8pm	Complimentary Pre-Conference Event: Psychopharmacology: An Overview in the Treatment of Substance Use and Co-Occurring Disorders Cost: $0, free to all conference attendees, signup on the conference registration form. Subject: Psycho Pharmacology Presenter: William J. Lorman, JD, PhD, MSN, PMHNP-BC, NCPsyA, FAAN This presentation presents current scientific knowledge of psychopharmacology and its application to clinical problems commonly seen in the treatment of addictions and dual disorders. We will address advanced concepts in neuroscience, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics as they relate to the clinical management of targeted symptoms commonly seen in the treatment setting. Learner Objectives: Understand the scientific basis of chemical neurotransmission and how drugs may modify chemical neurotransmission by interacting with receptors and enzymes. Understand how abnormalities in neurotransmission underlie major psychiatric disorders. Understand the unique psychopharmacological mechanisms of action of the major antidepressants, anxiolytics, antipsychotics, cognitive enhancing agents, and drugs of abuse. Be knowledgeable of the mechanism of therapeutic action versus the side effects of the major members of each class of psychotropic agents.

Time Eastern	Thursday, August 6 Subject to change
8:30 - 9:30am	Opening Keynote Address Rewiring Recovery: Using Neuroscience and Micro-Habits to Improve Outcomes in Addiction Treatment Ken J Martz, Psy.D., MBA; Pennsylvania Association of Addictions Professionals; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Recovery is not just behavioral: It’s neurological. This workshop explores how neuroplasticity, habit formation, and emotional regulation shape the brain’s capacity for lasting change in people with substance use disorders. Participants will learn science-based strategies to help patients interrupt automatic patterns, build micro-habits that support sobriety, and strengthen the neural pathways required for recovery. Practical tools will be shared to integrate these methods into daily addiction nursing practice. Learner Objectives: Explain the role of neuroplasticity in addiction, withdrawal, and early recovery and how habits form and change at the neural level. Identify key micro-habits that support stabilization, emotional regulation, and long-term recovery across inpatient, outpatient, and community settings. Apply at least three neuroscience-informed strategies, including habit stacking, emotional reset practices, and cue interruption to help patients build healthier behavioral patterns and improve treatment outcomes.
9:35 - 10:35am	Breakout 1 Room 1 5-CEP. Comparative Effectiveness of Psychedelic-Guided Therapy Versus Psychotropics in Oregon and Colorado Selman Cristobal Manuel, DNP, ARNP-CNP, FNP-C, CARN-AP, CCRN-K; Kent, Washington Learner Objectives: Describe the clinical outcomes of psychedelic-guided therapy for mental health and addiction in Oregon and Colorado. Compare the effectiveness of psychedelic-assisted therapy versus traditional psychotropic medications. Identify safety considerations and adverse effect profiles of psychedelic-guided therapy. Discuss regulatory, ethical, and implementation challenges in integrating psychedelic therapy into clinical practice. Examine the role of advanced practice nurses in delivering and advocating for innovative therapies. Explore strategies to reduce stigma and promote acceptance of psychedelic-assisted treatments among healthcare professionals and the public. Room 2 9-EPD. A Mobile Street Clinical Immersion Experience for Nursing Students in Drug "Hot Spot" Communities in Baltimore City Mary E Lashley, PhD, RN, PHNCS-BC, CNE; Towson University Department of Nursing; Baltimore, Maryland Learner Objectives: Identify three essential components of a recovery centered mobile street outreach program. Evaluate the impact of a mobile street outreach clinical immersion experience on nursing students' perceptions of persons experiencing homelessness and chemical addictions and their willingness to engage with marginalized populations. Discuss three pedagogical challenges to the implementation of a mobile street outreach clinical experience.
10:35 - 11am	Break with Exhibitors
11 - 12noon	Breakout 2 Room 1 11-CEP. Applying evidence based harm reduction strategies to reduce vascular complications associated with intravenous drug use Kurt Haspert, APN-BC; Centurion Health; Columbia, Maryland Learner Objectives: Differentiate between the causes, treatment, and complications arising from arterial and venous vascular injuries Describe three evidence based harm reduction activities to reduce the incidence of vascular injuries in intravenous drug users. Synthesize research identifying specific barriers among healthcare providers in implementing harm reduction methods for intravenous drug users. Room 2 12-EPD. Under 25 Substance Use: Trends and Treatment Ashton Doby Tisdale, LISW-CP, LAC, AADC; Ashton Doby Counseling, LLC; Columbia, South Carolina Learner Objectives: Identify current substance use trends in adolescents and young adults under the age of 25. Recognize substances of current popularity and methods of use among adolescents and young adults under the age of 25. Analyze evidence based practices in recovery management specific to treatment of adolescents and young adults under the age of 25.
12 - 1:30pm	Lunch & ASAN Membership Meeting
1:30 - 2:30pm	Breakout 3 Room 1 6-CEP. Mind Reboot: Getting Your Cognitive Edge Back After Substance Use Christina Jones, LPC, LPC/S, MAC; The University of South Carolina; Columbia, South Carolina Learner Objectives: Learn how early recovery impacts the brain in terms of executive functioning. Develop strategies to strengthen executive functioning. Gain an awareness of what PAWS looks like: post acute withdrawal symptoms Gain resources to assist students/clients with the recovery process. Room 2 19-EPD. Colleague to Colleague - A Three Step Approach to Addressing Suspected Substance Use Problems in the Workplace Carol E Mallia, RN, MSN, LAP-C; Massachusetts Nurses Association - Peer Assistance Program; Canton, Massachusetts Learner Objectives: Explore the common signs and symptoms of impaired practice, including data gathered from automated medication delivery systems. Describe the simple three step approach for addressing suspected substance use problems in the workplace and encouraging recovery treatment. Explore how to compassionately address substance use in the workplace.
2:30 - 2:50 pm	Break with Exhibitors
2:50 - 3:50pm	Breakout 4 Room 1 26-CEP. Improving Trauma - Informed Care Delivery in a Methadone Clinic: A Quality Improvement Initiative Using Staff Education and Simulation Sharanjot Punghlia, DNP-FNP-S, BSN,RN; Washington State University/College of Nursing; Cheney, Washington Learner Objectives: Describe the impact of trauma on opioid use disorder and implications for trauma-informed nursing practice in methadone treatment settings. Evaluate the effectiveness of a multimodal trauma-informed care intervention using education, standardized patient simulation, and reflective debriefing Apply trauma-informed communication strategies to improve patient engagement, reduce stigma, and enhance retention in opioid treatment programs. Room 2 15-R. Stigma and Treatment Engagement in Addiction Medicine: Pilot Findings Across Stigma Domains Soha Khoso, Bachelor of Science, MPH Candidate; Yale University; Ithaca, New York Learner Objectives: Define and describe anticipated, enacted, and internalized stigma and explain how these stigma mechanisms operate within addiction and harm reduction service settings. Integrate stigma-related findings into proposed service quality improvement strategies aimed at enhancing equity and acceptability in addiction medicine. Assess how structural factors such as housing instability and gender shape stigma experiences among people who use drugs. Evaluate the strengths and limitations of existing stigma measurement tools when applied to harm reduction settings and identify considerations for adapting instruments beyond traditional clinical contexts. Apply stigma-informed communication strategies to support disclosure, trust, and continuity of care when linking Syringe Service Program clients to broader healthcare services.
3:50 - 4:30pm	Exhibitor Welcome Reception

Time Eastern	Friday, August 7 Subject to change
8 - 9am	Keynote Address Championing Women’s Hormonal Issues in SUD Treatment Planning Dr. Eileen Newton, DNP, APRN, ANP-BC, AAOPM-BC, SUDPT, Evergreen Recovery Centers, Everett, Washington Women with substance use disorder face unique biological, hormonal, and social barriers that demand gender-responsive approaches to treatment. This presentation examines current SAMHSA prevalence data, the hormonal influences of estrogen and progesterone on addiction vulnerability and the telescoping effect, and persistent disparities in treatment access — including gaps in MOUD prescribing and residential referral rates. Attendees will explore trauma-informed, person-first care principles, motivational interviewing strategies, and stigma-reduction practices essential to nursing care. Evidence-based recommendations for addressing co-occurring disorders and supporting women across the continuum of recovery will be highlighted. Learner Objectives: Describe the impact of biological gender differences, including the roles of estrogen and progesterone, on substance use disorder vulnerability, the telescoping effect, and relapse risk in women. Identify current gender-based disparities in substance use disorder prevalence, treatment access, and medication-assisted treatment utilization. Apply person-first language, motivational interviewing principles, and stigma-reduction strategies when providing gender-responsive nursing care to women with substance use disorder.
9:05 - 10:05am	28-EPD. Moral Resilience in Practice: Caring for Patients with Substance Use Disorders Theresa Marie Fay-Hillier, DrPH, MSN, PMHCNS-BC; Drexel Unversity; Churchville, Pennsylvania Hyeyeon "Hailey' M. Fay-Hillier, DNP, MSN, CRNP, AGACNP-BC; Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Susan M. Solecki, DrPH, FNP-BC, PPCNP-BC; Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Learner Objectives: Define moral distress and moral resilience and identify at least two risk factors that contribute to moral distress when caring for patients with substance use disorders. Identify ethical stressors encountered when caring for patients who screen positive for substance use disorders. Implement at least two strategies to develop moral resilience and support professional sustainability in addiction nursing practice.
10:05 - 10:30am	Break with Exhibitors
10:30 - 11:30am	7-LA. Calm in the Chaos: Emotional Mastery Skills for Nurses Working in High-Intensity Addiction Settings. Ken Martz, Psy.D., MBA; Pennsylvania Association of Addictions Professionals; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Learner Objectives: Describe how stress and neurobiological activation impact clinical judgment, communication, and patient interactions in addiction care settings. Identify signs of emotional reactivity, compassion fatigue, and secondary trauma that can influence safety, boundaries, and treatment outcomes. Apply at least three emotional mastery strategies including grounding techniques, mindful micro-resets, and trauma-informed communication to maintain calm and enhance excellence in high-intensity nursing environments.
11:30 - 12:30pm	3-CEP. Communicating About Ketamine and Psilocybin with Patients in Recovery: Reducing Stigma and Supporting Informed Decision Making Kristen Vandenberg-Harrison, DNP, FNP, PMHNP-BC; University of Colorado Colorado Springs; Vail, Colorado Learner Objectives: Describe communication strategies that support open and nonjudgmental discussions about ketamine and psilocybin use with patients who have a history of addiction. Explain how to provide balanced and evidence informed education on the risks and potential benefits of these treatments while supporting recovery goals. Demonstrate how recovery-oriented language and collaborative care planning promote trust and reduce stigma in clinical conversations.
12:30 - 2pm	Lunch
2 - 3pm	16-CEP. Ethical Considerations in the Involuntary Admission of Individuals with Dual Diagnosis Amy Marie Funk, PhD, RN-BC, CARN; Red Lake Nation; Red Lake, Minnesota Learner Objectives: Understand exemplar criteria for involuntary admission. Identify potential ethical issues within the involuntary admission process. Use an ethical framework to evaluate relevant ethical case studies. Identify interventions that improve outcomes in involuntary admission.
3 - 3:15pm	Break with Exhibitors
3:15 - 4:15pm	31-CEP. Gender Responsive Treatment: A Model Program Helping Pregnant and Parenting Women to Thrive! Dr. Eileen Newton, DNP, APRN, ANP-BC, AAOPM-BC, SUDPT, Evergreen Recovery Centers, Everett, Washington Learner Objectives: Describe the process by which a project can move from conceptualization to grant writing to construction and program completion. Discuss the critical role of Addiction Nurses in supporting pregnant and parenting women along the continuum from addiction to recovery. State three benefits women can achieve in a successful pregnant and parenting women’s program.
4:15 - 5pm	Poster Session & Reception 2-P. Initiation of Buprenorphine in Outpatient Settings Jessica Lea Listorti, PMHNP-BC, McCall Behavioral Health Network; Torrington, Connecticut Learner Objectives: Describe the prevalence of illicity manufactured fentanyl in the US drug supply. Explain the major pharmacologic properties of both fentanyl and buprenorphine. Recall at least two items that can help start the process of buprenorphine treatment. Identify at least three medications that have been proven to support management of withdrawal symptoms during the buprenorphine initiation process. 4-CEP. The importance of understanding and addressing the unique needs of women with opioid use disorder as a factor in successful treatment Bridget R Scott-Fletcher, ARNP, FNP-BC, CCRN, EvergreenHealth Monroe Medical Center; Monroe, Washington Learner Objectives: Understanding the unique needs of women with opioid use disorder. Understanding the importance of active advocacy for medication assisted treatment for women with opioid use disorder. Understand the importance of providing education, referrals, emergency medication such as naloxone, and identifying individual barriers to treatment. 10-CEP. Nurse-led Collaborative Care Model Strengthens Addiction Medicine Treatment and Patient Retention Grace Kim, BSN, RN, PMH-BC, Rush University Medical Center; Chicago, Illinois Tara Wilkes, BSN, RN, CCRN; Rush University Medical Center; Chicago, Illinois Learner Objectives: Explain how collaboration between a Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) clinic nurse and an Addiction Medicine Nurse Navigator supports whole-person recovery through integrated care. Discuss patient-centered, stigma-reducing communication strategies to improve patient engagement, shared decision-making, and treatment retention. Evaluate how nurse-led care coordination and structured handoffs across care settings affect continuity of care and early MAT outcomes. 18-EPD. The Sentinel-NPS Recognition Framework: Designing an Evidence-Based Toolkit for Addiction Nursing Education Frances C Hodgkins, EdD, MSN, RN, CNE, NE-BC, PMH-BC, CARN, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas Learner Objectives: Describe the educational gap in nursing curricula regarding Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS) that evade standard toxicology screening. Identify the essential clinical components of the Sentinel-NPS Recognition Framework toolkit for standardizing toxidrome-based nursing instruction. Evaluate strategies for integrating NPS toxidrome assessment and competency validation into undergraduate or clinical nursing education. 20-R. Associations Between Initial Alcohol Sensitivity and Problematic Nicotine or Cannabis Use in Emerging Adults Who Co-use Substances Erwin Murray, B.S. in Biology, Patient First; Richmond, Virginia Learner Objectives: To describe the prevalence and patterns of co-use of alcohol and nicotine or alcohol and cannabis among emerging adults. To understand how initial alcohol sensitivity and impulsivity are associated with problematic nicotine or cannabis use in a sample of emerging-adult co-users. To consider the applications of these findings in healthcare environments. 24-EPD. Implementing an Educational Program for Nurses on Addiction and Withdrawal Management Rebecca Sherick, BSN, RN, Inova; Lorton, Virginia Learner Objectives: Describe the neurobiological and psychosocial mechanisms by which alcohol worsens anxiety and depressive symptoms. Participants will demonstrate the use of at least 3 trauma-informed, non-stigmatizing communication strategies when caring for patients with substance use disorder. Participants will describe the neurobiological mechanisms underlying addiction, including reward pathway activation, neuroadaptation, and stress system dysregulation, and relate these mechanisms to clinical manifestations of substance use disorder. Participants will correctly score and interpret a CIWA-Ar and COWS assessment tool in a simulated case scenario with 90% accuracy. Participants will identify at least 3 indications for escalation of care (e.g., ICU transfer, seizure precautions, provider notification) in patients experiencing complicated withdrawal. 27-CEP. Medical Innovations in Addiction Relapse Prevention Stephanie Leopold, CRNA, KNEW, Founder, CEO; Evergreen, Colorado Learner Objectives: Describe current addiction relapse rates and limitations of conventional treatment. Explain the mechanisms of action and clinical evidence for psilocybin-assisted therapy. Identify opportunities for providers to integrate trauma-informed and evidence-based approaches with substance use disorders. Review widely accepted modalities for addiction treatment, including pharmacologic and behavioral approaches, and examine their challenges with long-term success. 29-EPD. Changing Hearts and Minds: Partnering with the Recovery Community to Bring Authenticity and Lived Experience to Addictions-Focused Simulations Trisha Charbonneau-Ivey, BA, MSHAL, Saginaw Valley State University; University Center, Michigan Kathleen Schachman, PhD, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, FIAAN, FAANP, FAAN; Saginaw Valley State University; University Center, Michigan Learner Objectives: Understand how partnering with the recovery community informs the design of authentic addictions-focused simulations. Understand the change in attitudes of students participating in addiction-focused simulations. Understand the perspective of individuals in long-term recovery.

Time Eastern	Saturday, August 8 Subject to change
8:30 - 9:30am	25-CEP. The Connected FQHC: Making Mental Health and Substance Use Part of Everyday Primary Care Alissa Strambler-Rios, DNP, FNP-C, MyCHN; Lake Jackson, Texas Learner Objectives: Describe the importance of integrating mental health, substance use treatment, and opioid use disorder management into primary services within FQHCs, with emphasis on the nurse practitioner’s role in whole‑person care. Explain evidence‑based approaches for screening, diagnosing, and treating opioid use disorder in primary care, including the pharmacology of buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) and its use within OBMAT programs. Apply ethical principles (autonomy, beneficence, non‑maleficence, justice) to integrated primary care for patients with OUD and co‑occurring conditions, including initiation and maintenance of buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone).
9:40 - 10:40am	17-CEP. Acute Care Management of Substance use Disorders: Evidence-Based Strategies for Screening, Neurobiology, and Emerging Pharmacological Interventions Sandra Jean Cagle, ACNP-BC, CARN-AP; Henry Ford Hospital; Madison Heights, Michigan Learner Objectives: Analyze the neurobiology of addiction, specifically the role of the mesolimbic reward system and prefrontal cortex in drug seeking behaviors. Evaluate evidence-based screening tools, such as SBIRT and NM-ASSIST, to identify and assess patients with alcohol, nicotine, and opioid use disorders in acute care settings. Identify emerging pharmacological practices, including microdosing buprenorphine induction and the role of thiamine and magnesium repletion in managing alcohol withdrawal.
10:50 - 11:50	23-P. The Facts About Medications for Addiction Treatment MaryAnne Christine Murray, DNP, EdD, PMHNP-BC, FNP-BC, CARN-AP; Smart Moves Health; Ilwaco, Washington Learner Objectives: Identify three medications a primary care provider can prescribe for patients with Opioid Use Disorders (OUDs), and one that a PCP cannot prescribe. Describe the proper way to administer Naloxone (Narcan), a rescue medication. Discuss three medications which are FDA approved for treating Alcohol Use Disorder (AUDs).
11:55 - 12:55pm	Closing Keynote New Landscape of Mood-altering Drugs; Emerging Drugs and Substance Use in Nursing Abby Migliore, MSN, MBA, RN; Intervention Project for Nurses; Montgomery, Alabama Since 2013, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime have identified more than 1,000 emerging drugs worldwide. This presentation will review substance use in nursing along with mood altering substances that are often obtained from places like gas stations, convenient stores, or online. It will also review cannabis products, THC and The National Safety Council Position/Policy statement on Marijuana being used for someone in a safety sensitive position. Finally, it will review Alternative to Discipline programs, monitoring, and IPN. Learner Objectives: Recognize prevalence of substance abuse in nursing. Define Emerging Drugs. Recognize rates types of Emerging Drugs. Discuss different Emerging Drugs and how they are being used. Discuss the prevalence of Cannabis and impact on safety sensitive jobs.
1pm	Conference Closing

Presenter Bios

Alphabetical by last name

Sandra Jean Cagle, ACNP-BC, CARN-AP, Henry Ford Hospital; Madison Heights, Michigan

Sandra Cagle is a board certified Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Certified Addiction Registered Nurse-Advanced Practice. She currently serves as the addiction and chemical dependency consultant at HFH Warren and Madison Heights. Her work focuses on the neurobiology of addiction, evidence-based withdrawal management and the implementation of emerging clinical practices to improve outcomes for patients with substance use disorders in acute care settings.

Trisha Charbonneau-Ivey, BA, MSHAL, Saginaw Valley State University; University Center, Michigan

Trisha Charbonneau-Ivey, BA, MSHAL is the Associate Director for the Center for Rural Behavioral Health & Addiction Studies at Saginaw Valley State University. Bringing over 23 years of experience to her position, she leads special projects that develop and deliver innovative interdisciplinary healthcare education opportunities, including Project ECHO and novel behavioral health and substance use disorder simulations. Trisha holds Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology from Aquinas College, a Master of Science in Health Administration and Leadership from Saginaw Valley State University, and a certificate in Integrated Behavioral Health and Primary Care (Adult & Pediatric) from the University of Michigan.

Theresa Marie Fay-Hillier, DrPH, MSN, PMHCNS-BC, Drexel Unversity; Churchville, Pennsylvania

Dr. Fay-Hillier is an Associate Clinical Professor, Emeritus at Drexel University. She earned her Doctorate in Public Health from Drexel, her Master's Degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Holy Family University. She is a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing. She has an interest in working with the chronically mentally ill, people who have a substance use disorder, and victims of abuse. She has presented both nationally and internationally on issues related to IPV, harm-reduction strategies, and implementation of collaborate simulation experiences into nursing programs.

Amy Marie Funk, PhD, RN-BC, CARN, Red Lake Nation; Red Lake, Minnesota

Amy Funk is the Lead Nurse for the Red Lake Nation MAT program. She has taught undergraduate nursing focused on community and mental health nursing for eight years. She has primarily published and presented on the topics of grief and homelessness. She earned her PhD in Nursing from Illinois State University.

Kurt Haspert, APN-BC, Centurion Health; Columbia, Maryland

Kurt Haspert, APN-BC, is an accomplished Addiction Medicine Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Director of Addiction Services with a robust background in advancing mental health and substance abuse treatment initiatives and leading multidisciplinary teams to deliver exceptional patient care. Champion in implementing large-scale grants that significantly enhance outpatient services, consistently surpassing funding body expectations and expanding patient access to evidence-based services. Mr. Haspert holds a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree from the University of Maryland School of Nursing and has worked as an Addiction Medicine Nurse Practitioner for over 15 years.

Frances C Hodgkins, EdD, MSN, RN, CNE, NE-BC, PMH-BC, CARN, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas

Dr. Frances C. Hodgkins is an Assistant Professor at UTMB with nearly 30 years of psychiatric nursing experience at the Veterans Administration. As a CARN and CNE, she bridges clinical addiction science with innovative pedagogy. Her scholarship focuses on advancing behavioral health education through evidence-based tools, including documentation simulations and AI-powered learning modules. Dr. Hodgkins is dedicated to equipping the next generation of nurses with the clinical acumen to care for individuals living with complex substance use disorders. By integrating technology and clinical expertise, she leads efforts to modernize addiction nursing education and improve outcomes for vulnerable populations.

Christina Jones, LPC, LPC/S, MAC, The University of South Carolina; Columbia, South Carolina

Christina Jones is a South Carolina native and has worked at the University of South Carolina since 2015. She serves on the board of the Addictions Professionals of South Carolina and holds a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling with a Certificate in Psychiatric Counseling. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor and a Master Addictions Counselor. Since 2008, Christina has supported diverse populations across outpatient and IOP substance use treatment, vocational rehabilitation, private practice, and college counseling. She specializes in working with the addiction/recovery community and is passionate about helping people create more fulfilling and meaningful lives.

Soha Khoso, Bachelor of Science, MPH Candidate, Yale University; Ithaca, New York

Soha Khoso (she/her) is a second-year Master of Public Health (MPH) candidate at Yale University, specializing in Social and Behavioral Sciences with a track in Implementation Science. Originally from Karachi, Pakistan, she began her academic training at Cornell University, where she focused on integrating medicine, ethics, and policy. Her research focuses on addiction medicine, particularly the intersections of stigma, neurological mechanisms, and access to care. She is especially interested in leveraging AI and machine learning to reduce inequities in substance use treatment. Outside of academia, she is dedicated to mentoring students worldwide, equipping them with the resources and guidance needed.

Grace Kim, BSN, RN, PMH-BC, Rush University Medical Center; Chicago, Illinois

Grace Kim BSN, RN, PMH-BC is an RN with five years of clinical experience dedicated to improving equitable mental health care. She graduated from University of Illinois in Chicago with a BSN in 2020 and is pursuing a PMHNP DNP at Rush University, graduating in 2027. Her experience spans inpatient psychiatric care, community-based treatment, and her current role as an addiction medicine clinic RN. In this position, she helps patients navigate recovery through MAT and ongoing supportive engagement. She is especially passionate about expanding access and patient-centered care for people with mental health and substance-use disorders within underserved communities.

Mary E Lashley, PhD, RN, PHNCS-BC, CNE, TOWSON UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF NURSING; Baltimore, Maryland

Dr. Mary Lashley is Professor of Public Health Nursing at Towson University in Baltimore MD. She is a board-certified clinical specialist in public health nursing and serves on the Board of Directors at Helping Up Mission in Baltimore City. Her work centers on the development and evaluation of evidence-based best practices for the Mission’s health and wellness programs.

Stephanie Leopold, CRNA, KNEW, Founder, CEO; Evergreen, Colorado

Stephanie Leopold, CRNA, is a Certified Nurse Anesthesiologist with more than 20 years of clinical experience in critical care, anesthesia, and perioperative medicine. She has served in leadership roles including Chief CRNA and as a Board member of the Illinois Association of Nurse Anesthesiology, and currently serves on the Government Relations Committee for the Colorado Association of Nurse Anesthesiologists. Stephanie is the founder of KNEW, an organization focused on integrative approaches to addiction and mental health. A graduate of the Changa Institute’s legal psilocybin facilitator training program, she lectures nationally and internationally on addiction relapse prevention, trauma, and emerging therapies.

Jessica Lea Listorti, PMHNP-BC, McCall Behavioral Health Network; Torrington, Connecticut

Jessica Listorti PMHNP-BC is a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner specializing in substance use treatment for adults and adolescents. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from Saint Joseph University in West Hartford CT and is expected to earn a DNP from Chamberlain University in October 2025. Jessica's approach emphasizes collaborative, patient-centered care, focusing on effective medication management and evidence-based treatments to empower individuals on their journey toward recovery.

William J. Lorman, JD, PhD, MSN, PMHNP-BC, NCPsyA, FAAN
Bill Lorman is a nurse executive and practitioner with a significant impact on patients suffering from addiction. He has held leadership roles in the International Nurses Society on Addictions, serving as President-Elect and President. In Pennsylvania, he has provided vision and support through the Pennsylvania Peer Assistance Program for Nurses (PNAP), where he served as President, Chair of the Board of Directors, and currently as a board member. His organizational leadership has helped establish international and state guidelines for the care of individuals with addictions, including nurses with addictions. He has educated undergraduate and graduate nursing students at Drexel University as a part-time faculty member and visiting lecturer at other institutions. He has conducted numerous webinars and presentations on addictions treatment, pharmacology, neurobiology, and related topics, reaching thousands of nurses. He advocates for all nurses to play a critical role in addiction treatment and works with hospitals to provide training on identification, screening, brief interventions, referral, and de-escalation techniques. Bill maintains a private practice treating patients with general psychiatric disorders and substance use disorders, offering psychopharmacologic and psychotherapeutic interventions, including Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT).

Carol E Mallia, RN, MSN, LAP-C, Massachusetts Nurses Association - Peer Assistance Program; Canton, Massachusetts

As a Clinical Specialist, I have served as the Program Coordinator for the Massachusetts Nurses Association - Peer Assistance Program for over 25 years. I have presented nationally on a variety of topics related to impaired practice, addressing substance use problems in the workplace and supporting colleagues with substance use problems. I have provided training and served as a consultant to BD and their engineer team on diversion prevention technology. As a former manager and current labor advocate for staff nurses, I have assisted countless nurses with impaired practice and supported their efforts towards recovery

Selman Cristobal Manuel, DNP, ARNP-CNP, FNP-C, CARN-AP, CCRN-K, SELF-EMPLOYED; KENT, Washington

Dr. Selman Manuel, DNP, MS, ARNP, FNP-C, CARN-AP, CCRN-K, is a triple board-certified nurse practitioner specializing in addiction medicine, primary care, and critical care. He is recognized for his leadership in clinical practice, education, and community outreach, with a strong commitment to advancing evidence-based, patient-centered care. Dr. Manuel has pioneered innovative therapies, including psychedelic-assisted treatments, and is dedicated to educating clinicians and the public on emerging approaches for mental health and addiction. His work emphasizes reducing stigma, improving access to care, and empowering underserved populations through advocacy, mentorship, and the integration of novel, effective interventions.

Ken J Martz, Psy.D., MBA, Pennsylvania Association of Addictions Professionals; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Kenneth Martz, Psy.D. is a licensed psychologist. He has worked in the treatment and management of addiction for 30 years across settings. He was formerly the Special Assistant to the Secretary for the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and Policy Director of the Governor’s Policy Office Dr. Martz has a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Argosy University. He has authored a dozen publications, six bestsellers, including the international bestseller Manage My Emotions, translated into multiple languages. He has over 100 local, national, and international presentations in the addiction treatment field.

Abby Migliore, MSN, MBA, RN, Intervention Project for Nurses; Montgomery, Alabama

Abby Migliore, MSN, MBA, RN is the Chief Operations Officer of Intervention Project for Nurses. Abby has over 10 years’ experience in nursing regulation, Alternative to Discipline Programs, and working with nurses whose practice has been found to be impaired through substance use, physical ailments, or mental health concerns. Abby has been actively involved at regional, national, and international levels promoting Alternative to Discipline and decreasing stigma of nurses dealing with issues such as substance use disorders. She has served on several Boards and committees, and she is the current President of the National Organization of Alternative Programs (NOAP).

Erwin Murray, B.S. in Biology, Patient First; Richmond, Virginia

Erwin Murray earned a B.S. in biology from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2025, and he completed a NIH-funded fellowship in addiction research during his fourth year. His research interests include alcohol sensitivity, e.g., the Self-Rating of the Effects of Alcohol scale, co-use of alcohol with other substances, and the genetics of alcohol use and related outcomes. He is currently a student in a premedical graduate program and works as a medical assistant in urgent care, with the long-term goal of becoming a physician.

MaryAnne Christine Murray, DNP, EdD, PMHNP-BC, FNP-BC, CARN-AP, Smart Moves Health; Ilwaco, Washington

Dr. MaryAnne Murray, DNP, EdD, PMHNP-BC, FNP-BC, CARN-AP, has a private practice of psychiatric and addiction care in Long Beach, Washington. She is a Washington Center of Excellence for Autism. In addition, Dr. Murray speaks at conferences about issues regarding rural health care, humane treatment of persons suffering from addictions, substance, and care for autistic people. Dr. Murray is Co-CEO and Director of Behavioral Health for Smart Moves Integrated Health which is under development to offer primary care, mental health care, psychiatry, and MAT/SUD treatment in the small city of Ilwaco on the Pacific coast of Washington State.

Dr. Eileen Newton, DNP, APRN, ANP-BC, AAOPM-BC, SUDPT, Evergreen Recovery Centers, Everett, Washington

Dr. Eileen Newton is a nurse for 45 years and an APRN for 23, earning her DNP from Maryville University in 2014. A University of Washington alumna, she serves as Chief Medical Officer of Evergreen Recovery Centers in Washington State, overseeing detox, men's residential, pregnant and parenting women's recovery, and two MAT outpatient programs. Certified in pain medicine and acudetox, she is an ASAN member and CARN candidate. Her journey began bedside — and never stopped. A proud grandmother of seven, she remains passionately committed to walking with patients from first sobriety through lasting recovery.

Sharanjot Punghlia, DNP-FNP-S, BSN,RN, Washington State University/College of Nursing; Cheney, Washington

Sharanjot is a Doctor of Nursing Practice–Family Nurse Practitioner candidate at Washington State University College of Nursing in Spokane, Washington, with an anticipated graduation in May 2026. She has clinical experience in public health and opioid treatment programs, providing care to individuals with substance use disorders. Her scholarly work focuses on improving trauma-informed care delivery in addiction treatment settings through interdisciplinary education and quality improvement initiatives. Her professional interests include addiction medicine, trauma-informed care, health equity, and improving access to compassionate, evidence-based care for underserved and vulnerable populations.

Bridget R Scott-Fletcher, ARNP, FNP-BC, CCRN, EvergreenHealth Monroe Medical Center; Monroe, Washington

Bridget is a board certified family nurse practitioner of 21 years with 35 years in the nursing profession. Her background spans years of experience in critical care, gastroenterology/hepatology, clinical research in liver disease, surgery, and addiction medicine. She is currently a PhD nursing student with the University of Memphis. Her current professional role as an inpatient addiction medicine nurse practitioner aligns with her passion for research in addiction medicine and improvement in standard of care across healthcare in addiction medicine with a focus on treatment of women with addiction.

Rebecca Sherick, BSN, RN, Inova; Lorton, Virginia

I became passionate about SUD while working in inpatient detox. I have found my calling in caring for patients with SUD and my goal is to educate others and fight stigma. I currently work in an outpatient setting, supporting those in their recovery. I am extra passionate about teaching other on how alcohol impacts the brain and increases the risk for anxiety, depression, and SI.

Alissa Strambler-Rios, DNP, FNP-C, MyCHN; Lake Jackson, Texas

Dr. Alissa Strambler Rios, DNP, APRN, FNP C, is a Family Nurse Practitioner and Senior Behavioral Health Integration Specialist with more than 13 years of experience working in primary care, mental health, and substance use treatment within Federally Qualified Health Centers. Her clinical work centers on advancing whole person care through the integration of medical, psychiatric, and addiction treatment services, including Office-Based Medication Assisted Treatment for opioid use disorder, into everyday primary care practice.

Ashton Doby Tisdale, LISW-CP, LAC, AADC, Ashton Doby Counseling, LLC; Columbia, South Carolina

I am a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW-CP), Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC), and Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (AADC). I have been living and working in the Columbia area since 2012. I received a Bachelor of Sciences in Psychology degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2012, and received a Masters in Social Work at the University of South Carolina in 2014. I have 13 years of experience working with people with substance use disorders and their families, including the settings of detoxification, intensive outpatient, monitoring for healthcare professionals, college counseling setting, and private practice therapy.

Kristen Vandenberg-Harrison, DNP, FNP, PMHNP-BC, University of Colorado Colorado Springs; Vail, Colorado

Kris Vandenberg is a board-certified advanced nurse practitioner with over 30 years of experience in mental health. She specializes in psychiatric medication management across the lifespan and integrates her background in family practice for holistic care. She holds degrees and certifications from the University of Virginia, Mercer University, and the University of Tennessee. Dr. Vandenberg is the Option Coordinator for the PMHNP program at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs and runs a private practice, New Beginnings Mental Health, in Vail, Colorado.

Abstracts

ordered by abstract ID

2-P. Initiation of Buprenorphine in Outpatient Settings
Friday, 4:15pm - 5:00pm

Discussion on overdose deaths and the goals of treatment for OUD. Low barrier treatment, candidates for medication, DSM-5 criteria for SUD. How to assess for initiation of MAT for OUD, including, labs, medication options, fentanyl complications. How to create a patient-centered treatment plan. Low-barrier access to all forms of addiction treatment is encouraged, including buprenorphine. Patient-specific variables should guide the plan for initiation including selection, starting doses, timing and location. Community-initiation is appropriate for most patients, especially those experienced with buprenorphine. Patients with prior unsuccessful attempts to start treatment may benefit from in-office initiation. At this time, low and micro dosing strategies are recommended exclusively for the inpatient settings as formulations and strategies most supported in the data are not FDA-approved to treat OUD and it may take days to weeks to achieve a protective, therapeutic dose of buprenorphine. For the patient who is currently opioid dependent: Consider proactively prescribing medications to manage withdrawal symptoms. Buprenorphine: up-titrate to therapeutic dose quickly to achieve symptom relief and provision of opioid blockade, may need up to 24mg on Day 1. For the patient who is not currently opioid dependent: Buprenorphine: Start with very small doses (2 mg daily) and slowly increase over a period of days-weeks to maintenance dose (8-24 mg daily).

3-CEP. Communicating About Ketamine and Psilocybin with Patients in Recovery: Reducing Stigma and Supporting Informed Decision Making
Friday, 11:30am - 12:30pm

The growing use of ketamine and psilocybin for treatment resistant depression and trauma related disorders has created new challenges in clinical communication, especially with patients in recovery from substance use disorders. Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners must approach these discussions with honesty, empathy, and clinical precision while avoiding stigmatizing or judgmental language that can harm trust or discourage openness. Patients in recovery often approach conversations about alternative treatments with a mix of hope and fear. Effective communication begins by creating a space of safety and mutual respect. Open ended questions such as, “What have you heard about ketamine or psilocybin?” allow the provider to understand the patient’s beliefs, expectations, and motivations. Using recovery based terminology such as “in recovery,” “maintaining sobriety,” or “in sustained remission” replaces labels that carry moral or negative connotations and reinforces a sense of dignity. Education should emphasize informed consent and shared understanding. Providers can explain that ketamine and psilocybin act on glutamatergic and serotonergic systems rather than the dopaminergic pathways commonly linked to addiction, while still acknowledging that psychological and behavioral risks remain, especially when used outside structured medical settings. Collaborative planning for monitoring, therapy integration, and relapse prevention helps frame caution as partnership rather than control. Providers must also reflect on their own assumptions and biases about addiction and nontraditional therapies. Transparency about what is known and what is still being studied enhances trust and models professional integrity. In summary, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners have a critical role in guiding thoughtful and respectful discussions about emerging therapies. Compassionate, evidence informed, and stigma free communication empowers patients to make sound decisions while protecting their recovery and strengthening the therapeutic alliance.

4-CEP. The importance of understanding and addressing the unique needs of women with opioid use disorder as a factor in successful treatment
Friday, 4:15pm - 5:00pm

The unique needs of women with opioid use disorder such as intimate partner violence, financial dependence, child custody issues, and housing instability are often overlooked during point of care contact. The importance of these factors on treatment adherence is often critical in determining if a woman with OUD can continue treatment, is motivated fo receive treatment, and if ultimately that woman with OUD will be successful in her treatment and sobriety. The need to recognize these concerns is met by often fragmented care across the healthcare landscape. Few studies have been done to demonstrate the importance and outcomes when these needs are addressed in a comprehensive manner. This paper aims to facilitate understanding of the unique needs of women with OUD, the importance in identifying these needs as barriers to treatment, and the potentially positive impact on treatment when needs of women with OUD identified and addressed.

5-CEP. Comparative Effectiveness of Psychedelic-Guided Therapy Versus Psychotropics in Oregon and Colorado
Thursday, 9:35am - 10:35am

Psychedelic-guided therapy has emerged as a transformative approach in the treatment of mental health and substance use disorders, particularly in Oregon and Colorado, where recent legislative changes have enabled supervised clinical use of psilocybin and MDMA. This poster presents a comparative analysis of the effectiveness, safety, and patient outcomes of psychedelic-assisted therapy versus traditional psychotropic medications in real-world clinical settings. Evidence from recent studies and clinical practice demonstrates that psychedelic-assisted therapy can produce rapid and sustained improvements in depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), often surpassing the effect sizes and durability of standard antidepressants and anxiolytics. Patients receiving psychedelic therapy frequently report higher satisfaction, greater insight, and improved quality of life. The safety profile of psychedelics, when administered in controlled, therapeutic environments, is favorable, with transient and manageable side effects and a low risk of dependence or misuse. Despite these promising outcomes, challenges remain. Long-term data on safety and efficacy are still limited, and access is constrained by regulatory, financial, and workforce barriers. Integration into mainstream practice requires careful attention to ethical considerations, patient selection, and the development of standardized protocols. Advanced practice nurses play a pivotal role in delivering, evaluating, and advocating for these innovative therapies, as well as in educating patients and colleagues to reduce stigma and promote acceptance. This poster highlights the need for ongoing research, policy development, and interprofessional collaboration to ensure safe, equitable access to psychedelic-assisted therapy. By comparing outcomes with traditional psychotropics, this work underscores the potential of psychedelics to revolutionize mental health and addiction care, while emphasizing the importance of evidence-based practice, patient-centered care, and the continued evolution of addiction nursing.

6-CEP. Mind Reboot: Getting Your Cognitive Edge Back After Substance Use
Thursday, 1:30pm - 2:30pm

Early recovery can leave students feeling foggy, unfocused, or emotionally unsteady. Even though it can be frustrating, these experiences are a normal part of the brain finding its footing again. In this session, we will take a down-to-earth look at what is happening in the brain as attention, memory, motivation, and emotional control slowly come back online. We will walk through the science in a way that feels real and relatable, and we will try out a few simple activities that you can use with students right away to support focus, motivation, and emotional regulation. You will leave with practical tools you can start using the same day, along with a clearer sense of how to help students view these changes not as setbacks but as signs that their brain is healing. If you work with students in recovery (or considering abstinence), this session will give you fresh insight, renewed confidence, and creative strategies you may not have realized you needed. Come ready to learn, try things out, and rethink how early recovery really works.

7-LA. Calm in the Chaos: Emotional Mastery Skills for Nurses Working in High-Intensity Addiction Settings.
Friday, 10:30am - 11:30am

Addiction nurses work in some of the most emotionally charged environments in healthcare, often navigating crisis, trauma histories, withdrawal symptoms, and unpredictable behaviors. This workshop teaches practical emotional mastery skills that help nurses stay steady, clear, and effective under pressure. Grounded in neuroscience and trauma-informed practice, participants will learn how to regulate their own nervous systems, communicate with greater calm, and model emotional stability that improves patient engagement and team functioning.

9-EPD. A Mobile Street Clinical Immersion Experience for Nursing Students in Drug "Hot Spot" Communities in Baltimore City
Thursday, 9:35am - 10:35am

Mobile street outreach plays an essential role in the fight to end addiction, poverty, and homelessness. Street outreach programs offer access to a comprehensive range of health and social services, with the goal of supporting vulnerable persons living on the streets in meeting their basic survival needs and connecting them to vital services. Nursing students engaged in mobile street outreach become immersed in a cultural context that is rarely accessible to them. This type of existential experience places the student within the context of the patient's reality. When coupled with intentional reflection on the lived experience, students experience a transformation in perspective as they begin to grasp the challenges and complexities confronting marginalized populations. The purpose of this presentation is to present an innovative model for engaging nursing students in a mobile street outreach program among drug “hot spot” communities in Baltimore City. The mobile street outreach program, led by alumni with lived experience, is operated by an inner-city mission and uses a converted school bus equipped with food service and a resource center. Staff and volunteers distribute food, clothing, and toiletries and provide real time case management intakes, referrals, and transportation to health, social service, and addiction treatment programs and resources. Over 9000 unduplicated individuals were served through the Mission's mobile street outreach encounters in FY 2024. Utilization of the women's addiction recovery program at the Mission increased by 88 beds as a result of targeted street outreach. In addition, 414 street referrals were made to case management services with 15% of referrals resulting in successful treatment engagement. Nursing students report that the experience is transformational and impacts their willingness to work with marginalized populations in the future.

10-CEP. Nurse-led Collaborative Care Model Strengthens Addiction Medicine Treatment and Patient Retention
Friday, 4:15pm - 5:00pm

Substance use disorders are complex, chronic conditions requiring care that extends beyond medication management. Nurses are uniquely positioned for continuity, trust-building, education, and ability to mitigate barriers patients face. To promote whole-person recovery through integrated pharmacologic, psychological, and social care, a nurse-led initiative was implemented at a large academic medical center, featuring a collaborative model between a Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) clinic nurse and an Addiction Medicine Nurse Navigator. The goal of this collaboration was to streamline treatment across care settings. The MAT nurse led medication management through patient education, monitoring for side effects and withdrawal symptoms, insurance navigation, and administration of approximately 90 long-acting injectable treatments per month to support adherence in a high-acuity population. Concurrently, the nurse navigator engaged hospitalized patients through an inpatient consult service, conducting motivational interviewing and barrier assessments, initiating MAT when appropriate, and coordinating timely post-discharge follow-up. Over a five-month period, the inpatient service averaged 96 patients per month, with 39% receiving MAT during hospitalization. Continuity was further supported through ongoing navigation in a dual-diagnosis clinic serving more than 200 patients. Structured communication, shared documentation, and warm handoffs operationalized this model to deliver continuous, patient-centered care aligned with individual recovery goals. This collaborative model enhances engagement, improves treatment retention, and increases patient satisfaction. By addressing the full spectrum of recovery needs, nurses in these roles demonstrate leadership in advancing patient-centered addiction care. This collaborative framework highlights how nursing innovation can bridge traditional care gaps, reduce stigma, and promote sustained recovery outcomes.

11-CEP. Applying evidence based harm reduction strategies to reduce vascular complications associated with intravenous drug use
Thursday, 11:00am - 12:00pm

Sharing of equipment used for injection drug use (IDU) and technique failure often contributes to complications ranging from localized tissue damage to life-threatening systemic infections and chronic vascular disease. Vascular complications may be venous or arterial in nature and usually occur locally at the injection site. These complications may be related to direct needle injury to the vessel wall or to local infection and inflammation. Technique failure in intravenous drug users stems from two main areas: the user's injection practices and the quality of their veins. Significant health harms associated with poor injecting practices highlight the importance of evidence-based harm reduction strategies. When applied to injection drug use, harm reduction accepts that a continuing level of drug use (both licit and illicit) in society is inevitable and defines objectives as reducing adverse consequences. It emphasizes the measurement of health, social, and economic outcomes rather than drug consumption. Health care practitioners, especially those who specialize in vascular nursing, should be aware of and familiar with the types of harm reduction strategies aimed at reducing the potential risks associated with injection drug use. Barriers to implementing harm reduction strategies are diverse and span individual, organizational, and structural levels. The most significant barriers include widespread stigma, a lack of knowledge and training among providers, insufficient funding and resources, and legal/policy obstacles. The principles of harm reduction are already widely accepted in other areas of life, such as wearing seatbelts, using sunscreen, or managing chronic illnesses like diabetes, without expecting perfect adherence, thereby broadening the scope of their potential application. Research on harm reduction interventions has expanded to examine the intersecting issues of poverty, inequality, stigma, mental health, and access to healthcare.

12-EPD. Under 25 Substance Use: Trends and Treatment
Thursday, 11:00am - 12:00pm

This presentation will give information about the current substance use trends of adolescents and young adults under the age of 25, as well as current substances being used and methods. It will also look at evidence based practices of substance use treatment and recovery for adolescents and young adults.

15-R. Stigma and Treatment Engagement in Addiction Medicine: Pilot Findings Across Stigma Domains

Thursday, 2:50pm - 3:50pm

Background: Stigma toward people who use drugs (PWUD) remains a pervasive barrier to disclosure of substance use and sustained engagement with harm reduction services. While extensive research has documented stigmatizing behaviors within traditional medical settings, less is known about how stigma manifests within Syringe Service Programs (SSPs), which are intentionally designed to be low-threshold and nonjudgmental. Understanding how stigma operates is critical to improving service acceptability, client engagement, and care continuity. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey among clients accessing services at a storefront SSP in New Haven, Connecticut. Participants were recruited through convenience sampling during routine SSP visits. The sample included 52 adults (mean age = 45.3 years; 73% male; 50% reporting literal homelessness). Participants completed an adapted version of the validated Medical Provider Stigma Experienced by People Who Use Drugs (MPS-PWUD) scale. Likert-type items assessed experiences of (1) Anticipated, (2) Enacted, and (3) Internalized stigma. Survey items were reverse-coded as appropriate and aggregated into composite domain scores. Given non-normal distributions, nonparametric analyses, including the Kruskal–Wallis H test, were used to compare stigma domains. Internal consistency reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha. Results: Most participants reported prior use of SSP services (90%), while 65% had accessed medical services. Across stigma domains, enacted stigma was lowest (mean = 1.6), internalized stigma was moderate (mean = 1.9), and anticipated stigma was highest (mean = 2.2). Differences across domains were statistically significant (χ² = 21.678, p < .001). Internal consistency estimates were modest (α = 0.61 for SSP items; α = 0.58 for medical items). Notably, 73% of respondents strongly agreed that they were satisfied with SSP services. Conclusions: Findings suggest that SSPs function as protective environments that reduce enacted stigma while anticipated stigma persists beyond the harm reduction setting, particularly around disclosure. Item-level analyses revealed gender-based and housing differences in stigma experiences.

16-CEP. Ethical Considerations in the Involuntary Admission of Individuals with Dual Diagnosis
Friday, 2:00pm - 3:00pm

Individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorder face profound challenges with daily living and significant social stigma. Successful treatment options are complex and multi-faceted, and the individual may be resistant to treatment. Involuntary commitment is often referred to as a “last resort” because of the impact on the autonomy and relinquishment of the protected rights of the individual. However, safety of the individual or others often necessitates this legal process. Determining what reaches the level for involuntary commitment can fall into an ethical gray area. Additionally, the effectiveness of involuntary commitment for the individual has been questioned. This presentation will discuss relevant ethical concepts, thought-provoking case studies, and offer advice on improving outcomes for civilly committed individuals.

17-CEP. Acute Care Management of Substance use Disorders: Evidence-Based Strategies for Screening, Neurobiology, and Emerging Pharmacological Interventions
12:00:00 AM, 9:40am - 10:40am

Substance use disorders (SUDs) represent complex, chronic medical diseases driven by neurostructural changes in the brain’s reward circuits. In acute care settings, clinicians face the dual challenge of stabilizing patients physically while addressing the underlying pathology of addiction. This presentation provides a comprehensive overview of evidence-based management for SUDs, beginning with the neurobiological "faulty brakes" and "faulty steering" model of the prefrontal cortex. The session highlights critical screening protocols, including the SBIRT (Screen, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment) model and the AUDIT-C for alcohol use. Special emphasis is placed on the management of withdrawal syndromes. For alcohol use disorder, the discussion covers the vital importance of parenteral thiamine and chelated magnesium repletion to prevent Wernicke’s encephalopathy and delirium tremens. For opioid use disorder, the presentation explores the onset of withdrawal as measured by the Clinical Opioid Withdrawal Score (COWS) and the emerging practice of microdosing buprenorphine induction, which allows for treatment initiation without requiring the patient to be in active withdrawal. Additionally, the presentation addresses the rising prevalence of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) and the management of stimulant toxicity ("overamping"). Participants will gain practical insights into harm reduction strategies, such as the aggressive distribution of nasal Narcan, and the necessity of bridging acute care interventions to community-based resources. By integrating clinical expertise with a non-stigmatizing, collaborative spirit, healthcare providers can significantly improve outcomes for this vulnerable population.

18-EPD. The Sentinel-NPS Recognition Framework: Designing an Evidence-Based Toolkit for Addiction Nursing Education.
Friday, 4:15pm - 5:00pm

Background: The global drug landscape is shifting rapidly, with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (2025) reporting an increasing diversification of synthetic substances that challenge traditional public health responses. Specifically, the emergence of highly potent nitazenes represents a dangerous new chapter in the synthetic opioid crisis (Caprari et al., 2025), presenting life-threatening toxidromes that frequently evade standard toxicology screening. Despite this prevalence, nursing education lacks standardized resources for NPS recognition. As noted by Jovin et al. (2022), targeted educational efforts are essential to improve healthcare professionals' awareness and clinical attitudes regarding NPS management. Innovation: This presentation introduces the Sentinel-NPS Recognition Framework, an innovative educational toolkit designed to equip nursing educators with evidence-based resources for teaching NPS assessment. This project addresses a critical deficit: the absence of a nursing-specific framework to recognize and respond to NPS toxidromes when laboratory confirmation is unavailable. The Toolkit: The framework-in-development includes: (1) interactive case studies featuring NPS-specific clinical presentations; (2) toxidrome assessment guides emphasizing clinical recognition patterns; (3) teaching modules aligned with QSEN competencies; and (4) simulation scenarios for skills lab integration and competency validation. Methodology & Development: The development process incorporates a synthesis of NPS epidemiology, analysis of emergency department presentation data, and the integration of addiction nursing competencies. Current efforts prioritize high-prevalence substances—synthetic opioids (nitazenes), benzodiazepines, cathinones, and cannabinoids—with a focus on differentiating NPS toxidromes from traditional substance presentations. Conclusion: As a targeted work-in-progress, this initiative represents a vital step toward bridging the NPS educational gap. The presentation will detail the methodological design of the toolkit and share preliminary components for expert review. Presenting this emerging framework facilitates a collaborative exchange, allowing addiction nursing leaders to contribute to its refinement and ensure its clinical utility across diverse educational and practice settings.

19-EPD. Colleague to Colleague - A Three Step Approach to Addressing Suspected Substance Use Problems in the Workplace
Thursday, 1:30pm - 2:30pm

This program will explore the common behavioral signs and symptoms as well as workplace indicators for impaired practice. Using a 3 step approach, the learner will explore how to compassionately address substance use in the workplace.

20-R. Associations Between Initial Alcohol Sensitivity and Problematic Nicotine or Cannabis Use in Emerging Adults Who Co-use Substances
Friday, 4:15pm - 5:00pm

Background: Co-use of alcohol and nicotine or cannabis is prevalent among emerging adults. Alcohol sensitivity is associated with problematic alcohol use. Here, we examined whether alcohol sensitivity is associated with problematic nicotine or cannabis use in those who use these substances in addition to alcohol. Methods: Data were from college students who reported alcohol and nicotine (N=599) or alcohol and cannabis (N=787) from an ongoing longitudinal cohort study at a large, public university. The Self-Rating of Effects of Alcohol scale (SRE) measured initial alcohol sensitivity, and the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) measured nicotine dependence. Mean SRE and FTND scores and DSM-5 cannabis use disorder (CUD) symptom counts were calculated. Pearson correlations and multivariable linear regression analyses were conducted. Five UPPS-P impulsivity subscales (negative urgency, positive urgency, lack of premeditation, lack of perseverance, sensation seeking) and demographics were used as covariates. Results: Correlations between SRE and FTND or CUD were small and not statistically significant. Multivariable relationships between SRE and FTND or CUD were also not statistically significant. However, in the alcohol and nicotine sample, higher negative urgency (β=0.14, p=.007) and positive urgency (β=0.14, p=.009) were associated with higher FTND. In the alcohol and cannabis sample, males (β=0.11) and higher sensation seeking (β=0.11), lack of perseverance (β=0.13), and negative urgency (β=0.13) were associated with more CUD symptoms, p=.006-.004. Conclusions: Initial alcohol sensitivity was not associated with FTND or CUD in co-users. Rather, greater impulsivity significantly increased problem use of both substances. This suggests that subjective experiences of one substance may not be associated with problematic use of other substances in co-users, but that impulsivity likely affects the use of multiple substances. Medical professionals could assess patients’ impulsivity traits before emerging adulthood to identify those at greater risk for co-use and problematic use of substances and begin prevention approaches.

23-P. The Facts About Medications for Addiction Treatment

12:00:00 AM, 10:50am - 11:50am

Several effective FDA-approved medications are now available to treat patients with Opioid Use Disorders (OUDs), Alcohol Use Disorders (AUDs), and Nicotine Use Disorders. These medications save lives! In this session you will learn what you need to know to be able to confidently start these medications and help people recover from their substance use disorders. We will discuss oral and long-acting injectable medications, as well as extant medications being researched and repurposed for treating stimulant use disorders. Your patients need these medications! You can help reduce stigma and other barriers to needed care.

24-EPD. Implementing an Educational Program for Nurses on Addiction and Withdrawal Management
Friday, 4:15pm - 5:00pm

Education among nurses who do not specialize in substance use disorder (SUD) needs to be improved. The goal of this presentation is for participants to be able to identify worsening withdrawal, describe how alcohol impacts mental health, and identify ways to reduce stigma by using non-stigmatizing language. Recent study findings show that nurses feel inadequately prepared to care for patients with SUD (Kratovil et al., 2023). Some hospital nurses have negative attitudes towards this patient population. Nurses are trained in how to assess withdrawal symptoms using assessment tools such as the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment (CIWA) and Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS), however nursing education on when to escalate care is limited. The first objective of this presentation is for participants to identify at least 3 indications for escalation of care (e.g., ICU transfer, seizure precautions, provider notification, history of delirium tremens) in patients experiencing complicated withdrawal. Co-occurring disorders such as mental health and SUD are on the rise. Health and social outcomes for patients with co-occurring disorders are often poor, indicating that stigma and inadequate training among healthcare professionals is a concern (Jenkins et al., 2022). Participants will be able to describe the neurobiological and psychosocial mechanisms by which alcohol worsens anxiety and depressive symptoms. Neurobiological mechanisms include glutamate and dopamine dysregulation. Psychosocial mechanisms include self-medicating cycles, interpersonal relationships, and trauma. Nurses who are not trained in SUD may use stigmatizing language without understanding its impact on patients and colleagues around them. The language that we use not only reflects stigma, but it can also create stigma among those with SUD (Foli et al., 2022). Participants will demonstrate the use of at least 3 trauma-informed, non-stigmatizing communication strategies when caring for patients with SUD.

25-CEP. The Connected FQHC: Making Mental Health and Substance Use Part of Everyday Primary Care
12:00:00 AM, 8:30am - 9:30am

Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) play a critical role in delivering accessible primary care to medically underserved populations. However, many patients presenting for primary care also experience untreated mental health conditions, substance use disorders, and significant social stressors that complicate diagnosis, treatment adherence, and overall health outcomes. Traditional care models often separate physical and behavioral health services, contributing to fragmented treatment, delayed interventions, and preventable escalation of illness. This presentation describes an integrated, team-based approach in which behavioral health, substance use treatment, and crisis screening are embedded within the primary care setting. Nurse practitioners collaborate with interdisciplinary team members to identify concerns earlier, initiate timely interventions, including Office-Based Medication Assistance Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder, and address co-occurring conditions concurrently rather than sequentially. Integration supports whole-person care by incorporating medical, psychiatric, addiction, and social determinants of health into a unified treatment plan. Embedding behavioral health and substance use services within primary care reduces barriers to access, improves patient engagement, and decreases gaps in care delivery commonly seen in community health settings. This model strengthens FQHCs' capacity to respond to acute behavioral health needs while also promoting long-term stability and chronic disease management. The session will discuss implementation strategies, workflow considerations, and the role of nurse practitioners as clinical leaders in integrated care delivery.

26-CEP. Improving Trauma - Informed Care Delivery in a Methadone Clinic: A Quality Improvement Initiative Using Staff Education and Simulation
Thursday, 2:50pm - 3:50pm

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is strongly associated with trauma exposure, with up to 75% of individuals reporting significant adverse experiences. Inconsistent trauma-informed care (TIC) practices in opioid treatment programs increase the risk of re-traumatization, disengagement, and poor treatment retention. Spokane County, Washington, has experienced high opioid-related morbidity and mortality, highlighting the urgent need for trauma-informed, evidence-based interventions. Trauma-informed care promotes safety, trust, and patient-centered engagement but requires structured interdisciplinary education for effective implementation. This quality improvement project evaluated the impact of a multimodal TIC intervention at the Spokane Regional Health District opioid treatment program. The intervention included a 90-minute TIC education session, standardized patient simulation, and structured reflective debriefing. Guided by the Plan-Do-Study-Act framework, interdisciplinary staff, including nurses, substance use disorder counselors, and medical assistants, completed pre- and post-intervention assessments using the Attitudes Related to Trauma-Informed Care (ARTIC) Scale, custom Likert-style surveys, simulation performance checklists, and qualitative debrief reflections. Results demonstrated measurable improvements in staff trauma-informed knowledge, confidence, and clinical application. Strongly Agree responses increased from 18% pre-intervention to 82% post-intervention, and mean Likert scores increased across all TIC competency domains. Simulation performance demonstrated improved use of trauma-informed communication strategies, including patient-centered language, emotional validation, and avoidance of stigmatizing communication. Qualitative feedback reflected increased staff empathy, awareness of trauma impact, and confidence providing trauma-informed care. This project demonstrates that simulation-based trauma-informed education is a feasible, scalable, and effective intervention for improving interdisciplinary staff competency in opioid treatment programs. Interdisciplinary TIC education may strengthen therapeutic relationships, reduce stigma, and improve patient engagement and retention in opioid treatment settings.

27-CEP. Medical Innovations in Addiction Relapse Prevention
Friday, 4:15pm - 5:00pm

Substance use disorder remains a chronic, relapsing illness with high recurrence rates despite established treatments, including medication-assisted therapy, counseling, and peer support. Addiction nurses routinely care for individuals who cycle through detoxification, treatment programs, and acute care settings, often expressing discouragement and shame following repeated relapse. While current modalities provide stabilization and harm reduction, many patients continue to struggle with persistent cravings, trauma-related triggers, and difficulty sustaining behavioral change. Nurses frequently encounter patients who feel they have “failed treatment,” when treatment durability itself remains limited. This presentation introduces psilocybin assisted therapy as an emerging adjunctive approach for addiction relapse prevention and reviews its potential clinical relevance to nursing practice. Participants will examine the neurobiology of addiction and relapse, including conditioned learning, reward pathway dysregulation, and the impact of trauma on substance use behaviors. Current clinical research from major academic institutions will be reviewed, demonstrating sustained reductions in alcohol and nicotine use following structured psilocybin assisted therapy sessions. Mechanisms of action will be discussed in clinically accessible terms, including enhanced neuroplasticity, increased cognitive flexibility, disruption of entrenched behavioral patterns, and improved psychological processing of underlying trauma. The therapeutic model, including patient preparation, monitored administration, and integration support, will be outlined along with safety considerations and the evolving regulatory landscape. Addiction nurses play a critical role in patient education, therapeutic communication, and stigma reduction. Understanding emerging treatments enables nurses to engage patients in informed conversations, support recovery oriented care environments, and collaborate effectively with interdisciplinary teams. Increased awareness of psilocybin assisted therapy equips nurses to better support individuals seeking long term recovery and strengthens compassionate, evidence informed care.

28-EPD. Moral Resilience in Practice: Caring for Patients with Substance Use Disorders
Friday, 9:05am - 10:05am

Ethical issues can arise when nurses encounter patients with substance use disorders (SUDs) across all areas of practice. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 17.1% of the U.S. population (48.5 million people) aged 12 or older had an SUD in 2023 (SAMHSA, 2024). The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that healthcare providers screen individuals who are not currently diagnosed with or receiving treatment for a drug use disorder and provide access to diagnostic services, treatment, and follow-up care when indicated (USPSTF, 2020). Despite these recommendations, healthcare providers frequently report barriers—such as limited training, time constraints, inadequate structural support, and insufficient resources—when attempting to care for patients with substance use disorders (Adeniran et al., 2023). Moral distress can occur when a nurse recognizes the ethically appropriate course of action but feels powerless to act due to constraints beyond their control. Recent studies indicate that between 10% and 26% of healthcare providers have considered leaving their positions because of moral distress (AACN, 2024). Moral resilience is defined as the capacity of nurses to respond to ethically challenging situations without experiencing the lasting effects of moral distress or moral residue (Lachman, 2016). Fostering moral resilience in practice can decrease the risk of developing moral distress, mitigate its impact, and help prevent the accumulation of moral residue (Rushton, 2017). This presentation will provide an overview of moral distress and introduce practical tools to support the development of moral resilience when caring for patients with substance use disorders. Through case studies, participants will apply resilience building strategies that can be implemented across inpatient, outpatient, and community practice settings.

29-EPD. Changing Hearts and Minds: Partnering with the Recovery Community to Bring Authenticity and Lived Experience to Addictions-Focused Simulations
Friday, 4:15pm - 5:00pm

Problem: Recovery communities can enhance addictions-focused nursing education through participation in simulation-based learning. Realistic portrayals of individuals living in recovery have the potential to challenge entrenched stereotypes and reduce stigma toward substance use disorders (SUD). However, meaningful curricular integration of recovery-informed simulations requires a deeper understanding of both student and recovery community perspectives. Aim: This qualitative study examines the experiences of nurse practitioner (NP) students and peer recovery volunteers who participated in a collaboratively developed, addictions-focused clinical simulation. Methods: A peer recovery organization partnered with a school of nursing to design and implement a day-long simulation intended to improve NP students’ confidence, competence, and readiness to care for individuals with SUD. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with recovery community participants (n = 11), while NP students (n = 63) completed written self-reflections following the simulation. Thematic analysis was used to identify shared and divergent perspectives across both groups. Results: Overlapping themes emerged across participant groups, including increased compassion derived from mutual understanding, reduced stigma through recognition of the “whole person,” enhanced empowerment and hope, and a strengthened sense of gratitude and professional purpose. Peer recovery volunteers described valuing the opportunity to “give back” by contributing to the education of future healthcare professionals and reported that participation reinforced their own recovery journeys. Conclusion: Academic–recovery community partnerships introduce authenticity and lived experience into addictions-focused simulation, yielding educational benefits for NP students while supporting recovery-oriented outcomes among peer participants. These findings highlight the value of integrating recovery-informed simulation into nursing curricula as a strategy to advance person-centered SUD care.

31-CEP. Gender Responsive Treatment: A Model Program helping Pregnant and Parenting Women to Thrive!
Friday, 3:15pm - 4:15pm

Details coming soon