Substance Use Disorder Conference (2025)

Substance Use Disorders Conference 2025

Substance use disorders are complex and have a huge impact on patients, families, and communities. They challenge even experienced health care professionals to stay current with evolving guidelines. And they are seen and treated across all professions, disciplines, and practice settings. This includes primary care, psychiatry, social work, psychology, family practice, nursing, and more.

That's why our agenda focuses on a broad update across the spectrum of substance use disorders. Sessions cover everything from neuroscience and developmental perspectives all the way through recovery-oriented systems of care. Our faculty share their experience as both clinical caregivers and research experts. They make time to answer questions and help you find solutions for complex conditions.

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Target Audience

This program is intended for:

  • General and Family Physicians
  • Psychiatrists
  • Nurse Practitioners 
  • Physician Assistants
  • Nurses
  • Psychologists
  • Social Workers

Accreditation:

In support of improving patient care, MGH Institute of Health Professions is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

16.5 Physicians

MGH Institute of Health Professions designates this live activity for a maximum of 16.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits ™. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in this activity.

16.5  Psychologists:

Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs. MGH Institute of Health Professions designates this activity for 16.5 CE credit.

16.5 Nursing

MGH Institute of Health Professions designates this activity for 16.5 contact hours for nurses.

16.5 Social Workers 

As a Jointly Accredited Organization, the MGH Institute of Health Professions is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. MGH Institute of Health Professions maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive 16.5 clock hours for continuing education credits.

16.5 IPCE Credit

This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive 16.5 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credits for learning and change.

Learning Objectives

Our conference lets you engage dozens of renowned clinician-researchers, get your clinical questions answered, and translate enhanced knowledge into optimal patient care.

Here are some of the ways that participants plan to change their clinical practice as a result of attending our course.

  • Describe the best practices for the treatment of substance use disorders.
  • Discuss how to properly screen and diagnose substance use disorders.
  • List rational, evidence-based pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapies for patients with substance use disorders.
  • Assess the relative utility and strengths of recovery-oriented models of care.
  • Assess and treat patients with co-morbid substance use, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, ADHD, pain, and infectious diseases.
  • Discuss how to manage complicated withdrawals.
  • Utilize motivational interviewing, CBT, and contingency management techniques when working with patients suffering from substance use disorders.
  • Describe the effects of and interventions for marijuana and synthetics.
  • List the different approaches and challenges associated with opioid, alcohol, and nicotine treatment.
  • Discuss the challenges associated with the identification and management of substance use disorders in the emergency department.
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 16.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™

    This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of IHP and Massachusetts General Hospital. IHP is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

    IHP designates this Enduring activity for a maximum of 16.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

  • 16.50 Nursing Contact Hours

    Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 13, sections 13, 14, 14A, 15 and 15D and Chapter 112, sections 74 through 81C authorize the Board of Registration in Nursing to regulate nursing practice and education.

    This program meets the requirements of the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing (244 CMR 5.00) for 16.50 contact hours of nursing continuing education credit. Advance practice nurses, please note: Educational activities which meet the requirements of the ACCME (such as this activity) count towards 50% of the nursing requirement for ANCC accreditation.

  • 16.50 Social Workers

    As a Jointly Accredited Organization, the MGH Institute of Health Professions is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. MGH Institute of Health Professions maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive 16.50 clock hours for continuing education credits.

  • 16.50 Participation

    This course allows other providers to claim a Participation Certificate upon successful completion of this course.

    Participation Certificates will specify the title, location, type of activity, date of activity, and number of AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ associated with the activity. Providers should check with their regulatory agencies to determine ways in which AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ may or may not fulfill continuing education requirements. Providers should also consider saving copies of brochures, agenda, and other supporting documents.

  • 16.50 Psychologists CE Credit

    Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs. MGH Institute of Health Professions designates this activity for 16.50 CE credit.

Registration opens: 
08/01/2025
Course closes: 
09/01/2026
Part of: 
MGH Conference Videos 2025 sponsored by the Behavioral Health Workforce Training Clearinghouse
Rating: 
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Substance Use Disorders: A Comprehensive Review and Update 2025

MODULE TOPIC 1: NEUROSCIENCE

Neurobiology of Addiction

          Timothy E. Wilens, MD

Genetics of Substance Use Disorders

Robert R. Althoff, MD, PhD            

MODULE TOPIC 2: ADOLESCENT SUBSTANCE USE  

Adolescent Substance Use Disorders Part I

Timothy E. Wilens, MD

Adolescent Substance Use Disorders Part II

Robert R. Althoff, MD, PhD      

ADHD

Timothy Wilens, MD

Panel Discussion

Moderator: David H. Rubin, MD

Panelists: Robert R. Althoff, MD, PhD, Timothy E. Wilens, MD

MODULE TOPIC 3: FROM ATHLETICS TO CARE DELIVERY

Athletes and Substance Use Disorders

Timothy Wilens, MD

Advocacy and Regulatory Updates

Laura G. Kehoe, MD, MPH, FASAM

Benzodiazepines & Addiction

Timothy Wilens, MD

Polysubstance Use Cases

              Laura G. Kehoe, MD, MPH, FASAM

Panel Discussion

Moderator: Timothy E. Wilens, MD

Panelists: Justin Alves, RN, MSN, ACRN, CARN, CNE, Laura G. Kehoe, MD,

MPH, FASAM

MODULE TOPIC 4: OPIOIDS

Buprenorphine 101

Jessica Gray, MD

Novel Buprenorphine Strategies

        Laura Kehoe, MD, MPH, FASAM

Naltrexone Intramuscular

Jessica Gray, MD

Methadone

         Laura Kehoe, MD, MPH, FASAM

Panel Discussion

Moderator: Laura G. Kehoe, MD, MPH, FASAM

Panelist: Jessica Gray, MD

MODULE TOPIC 5: PAIN, WOMEN & ADDICTION

Pain

Jessica Gray, MD

Pregnancy

Jessica Gray, MD

Women & Addiction

Jessica Gray, MD

Panel Discussion

Moderator: Laura G. Kehoe, MD, MPH, FASAM

Panelist: Jessica Gray, MD

MODULE TOPIC 6: TREATMENT IN CONTINUING CARE

Motivational Interviewing

Robert R. Althoff, MD, PhD

CBT

Robert R. Althoff, MD, PhD

DBT or Acceptance Therapy, or Other Therapy

Robert R. Althoff, MD, PhD

Discrimination & Disparities

Abigail Judge, MD

Panel Discussion

Moderator: David H. Rubin, MD

Panelists: Abigail Judge, MD, James Mckowen, PhD

MODULE TOPIC 7: CANNABIS & PSYCHEDELICS  

Cannabis 101

Timothy E. Wilens, MD

Cannabis 102

       Timothy E. Wilens, MD

Clinical Management

Robert R. Althoff, MD, PhD

Psychedelics

  Timothy E. Wilens, MD

Panel Discussion

Moderator: Robert R. Althoff, MD, PhD

Panelist: Timothy E. Wilens, MD

MODULE TOPIC 8: COMORBIDITY I – SUBSTANCE USE, TRAUMA AND SEX TRAFFICKING

Sex Trafficking Part 1

Abigail Judge, PhD

Sex Trafficking Part 2

Abigail Judge, PhD

Trauma

Abigail Judge, PhD

Panel Discussion

Moderator: Timothy E. Wilens, MD

Panelist: Abigail Judge, PhD

MODULE TOPIC 9: STIMULANTS & NICOTINE

Cocaine

Justin Alves, RN, MSN, ACRN, CARN, CNE

Methamphetamine

    Justin Alves, RN, MSN, ACRN, CARN, CNE

Nicotine

    Justin Alves, RN, MSN, ACRN, CARN, CNE

MODULE TOPIC 10: RECOVERY SUPPORT SERVICES

Peer Support and Residential Communities

     Justin Alves, RN, MSN, ACRN, CARN, CNE

Panel Discussion

    Moderator: Vinod Rao, MD, PhD

    Panelist: Justin Alves, RN, MSN, ACRN, CARN, CNE

MODULE TOPIC 11: ALCOHOL & COMORBIDITY

Alcohol: Assessment and Maintenance Medications

Vinod Rao, MD, PhD

Inpatient & Outpatient Medically Managed Withdrawal

Vinod Rao, MD, PhD

Anxiety & Mood

Vinod Rao, MD, PhD

Managing Insomnia in Substance Use Disorders

Vinod Rao, MD, PhD

Panel Discussion

Moderator: Justin Alves, RN, MSN, ACRN, CARN, CNE

  Panelists: Vinod Rao, MD, PhD

Course Directors: 
Laura G. Kehoe, MD, MPH, FASAM
David H. Rubin, MD
Thomas J. Spencer, MD 
Timothy E. Wilens, MD

Speakers:
Robert R. Althoff, MD, PhD
Justin Alves, RN, MSN, ACRN, CARN, CNE
Jessica Gray, MD
Abigail Judge, MD
Laura G. Kehoe, MD, MPH, FASAM
Vinod Rao, MD, PhD
David H. Rubin, MD
Timothy E. Wilens, MD

Available Credit

  • 16.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™

    This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of IHP and Massachusetts General Hospital. IHP is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

    IHP designates this Enduring activity for a maximum of 16.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

  • 16.50 Nursing Contact Hours

    Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 13, sections 13, 14, 14A, 15 and 15D and Chapter 112, sections 74 through 81C authorize the Board of Registration in Nursing to regulate nursing practice and education.

    This program meets the requirements of the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing (244 CMR 5.00) for 16.50 contact hours of nursing continuing education credit. Advance practice nurses, please note: Educational activities which meet the requirements of the ACCME (such as this activity) count towards 50% of the nursing requirement for ANCC accreditation.

  • 16.50 Social Workers

    As a Jointly Accredited Organization, the MGH Institute of Health Professions is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. MGH Institute of Health Professions maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive 16.50 clock hours for continuing education credits.

  • 16.50 Participation

    This course allows other providers to claim a Participation Certificate upon successful completion of this course.

    Participation Certificates will specify the title, location, type of activity, date of activity, and number of AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ associated with the activity. Providers should check with their regulatory agencies to determine ways in which AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ may or may not fulfill continuing education requirements. Providers should also consider saving copies of brochures, agenda, and other supporting documents.

  • 16.50 Psychologists CE Credit

    Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs. MGH Institute of Health Professions designates this activity for 16.50 CE credit.

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