Wednesday, August 5

• 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

Psychopharmacology: An Overview in the Treatment of Substance Use and Co-Occurring Disorders

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:

1. Understand the scientific basis of chemical neurotransmission and how drugs may modify chemical neurotransmission by interacting with receptors and enzymes.
2. Understand how abnormalities in neurotransmission underlie major psychiatric disorders.
3. Understand the unique psychopharmacological mechanisms of action of the major antidepressants, anxiolytics, antipsychotics, cognitive enhancing agents, and drugs of abuse.
4. Be knowledgeable of the mechanism of therapeutic action versus the side effects of the major members of each class of psychotropic agents.

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).