Summary
The field of substance use and addiction are undergoing rapid changes including how substances are being used, how they are being acquired, and how they are being administered as well as misinformation regarding treatment. In this workshop, psychologists, licensed mental health professionals, medical personnel, and ministry leaders will discuss these changes in the context of current use trends from a biopsychosocial and spiritual perspective across the lifespan, noting key time points for targeted interventions. Part of these changes are a consequence of local, state, and federal policies but also due to coordinated messaging across multiple social media platforms. The intersection between policy and technology will be presented with clear, actionable evidence-based best practice outcomes for creating positive change, such as AI-based therapies, trauma-informed care, and psychedelics. Building positive changes from clinics to communities to churches will be presented including assessing upstream factors like hope and social connection as predictors of positive outcomes like encouragement, engagement, and empowerment.
Learning Objectives
Describe how drug availability and social media impact current use trends across the lifespan.
Develop a deeper understand of local, state, and federal drug policies with special focus on pharmacotherapies (like psychedelics, cannabis, and ketamine) and AI-based therapies.
Apply evidence-based best practices for substance use to addiction across the entire continuum of care from prevention to recovery management.