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Substance Use Disorders: A Comprehensive Review and Update 2027
We invite you to join colleagues from across the country at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa for the 2027 Substance Use Disorders: A Comprehensive Review and Update—an immersive, clinically focused conference designed to support real-world practice!
Attend this conference on substance use disorders to hear the latest research and find guidance that enhances your care for patients.
Substance use disorders remain among the most complex and consequential conditions encountered in healthcare, affecting patients, families, and communities across every setting of care. Clinicians are challenged not only by evolving evidence and guidelines but also by high rates of comorbidity, social determinants of health, and rapidly changing treatment landscapes. This conference is designed to help practitioners stay current, confident, and clinically effective.
The program provides a comprehensive, evidence-based update across the full spectrum of substance use disorders, spanning neuroscience, developmental and lifespan perspectives, pharmacologic and behavioral treatments, and recovery-oriented systems of care. Sessions are intentionally structured to translate current research into practical, actionable strategies that can be applied across diverse clinical settings.
The conference emphasizes an interactive and collegial learning environment, with dedicated time for discussion, audience questions, and case-based exploration of complex clinical scenarios. Attendees have the opportunity to engage directly in dialogue around challenging cases, evolving best practices, and real-world implementation—fostering meaningful exchange across disciplines and practice settings.
Whether you practice in primary care, psychiatry, psychology, social work, nursing, emergency medicine, or integrated care settings, this conference offers a practice-relevant update to strengthen your approach to screening, diagnosis, and treatment of substance use disorders and common co-occurring conditions.
Pricing
MDs/Doctoral-Level Professionals
Super Early Bird Registration (before August 31, 2026): $975.00
Early Bird Registration (before November 30, 2026) $1,035.00
Regular Registration (after December 1, 2026): $1,139.00
Other Professionals or Trainees
Super Early Bird Registration (before August 31, 2026): $875.00
Early Bird Registration (before November 30, 2026): $931.00
Regular Registration (after December 1, 2026): $1,035.00
PRINTED SYLLABUS
Price: $85.00
The conference syllabus is a printed book with all slide presentations and space to take notes adjacent to each slide. Please note that all syllabus purchases are non-refundable and non-shippable and must be picked up onsite at the conference.
E-SYLLABUS
As an alternative to purchasing a conference syllabus, we provide all attendees with completely free access to all slide presentations in digital PDF format prior to the conference. This is an environmentally friendly alternative and helps keep costs lower for all attendees. The e-syllabus will be available for 30 days after the conference.
Cancellation Policy
A refund minus a $100.00 administrative fee will be issued for refund requests received by January 2, 2027. Payments made may not be applied to future conferences or other educational activities. There are no exceptions to these policies.
Massachusetts General Hospital Psychiatry Update & Board Preparation, 4th Edition
Board certification and recertification exams are critical career moments. That is why you should rely on the Massachusetts General Hospital Psychiatry Update & Board Preparation, Fourth Edition. It puts our 80+ years of clinical experience at your fingertips to help you prepare for your exam.
Purchase a print copy of our Board Preparation book here!
Target Audience
This program is intended for:
- General and Family Physicians
- Psychiatrists
- Nurse Practitioners
- Nurses
- Psychologists
- Social Workers
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 conference:
- 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 withdrawal.
- 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.
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.
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 15.25 CE credits.
Physicians
MGH Institute of Health Professions designates this live activity for a maximum of 15.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits ™. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in this activity.
Nursing
MGH Institute of Health Professions designates this activity for 15.25 contact hours for nurses. The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) accepts credit from organizations accredited by the ACCME and ANCC.
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 15.25 clock hours for continuing education credits.
IPCE Credit
This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive 15.25 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credits for learning and change.
Substance Use Disorders: A Comprehensive Review and Update
February 15-17, 2027
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2027
8:00 – 8:05 AM Welcome & Introduction
Timothy E. Wilens, MD
MODULE TOPIC 1: NEUROSCIENCE
8:05 – 8:25 AM Neurobiology of Addiction & Genetics of Substance Use Disorders
Robert R. Althoff, MD, PhD
MODULE TOPIC 2: ADOLESCENT SUBSTANCE USE
8:25– 8:45 AM Adolescent Substance Use Disorders
Robert R. Althoff, MD, PhD
8:45 – 9:05 AM ADHD
Timothy E. Wilens, MD
9:05 – 9:25 AM Athletes and Substance Use Disorders
Timothy E. Wilens, MD
9:25 – 9:55 AM Panel Discussion
Moderator: Timothy E. Wilens, MD
Panelists: Robert R. Althoff, MD, PhD
9:55 – 10:10 AM Break
MODULE TOPIC 3: SYNTHETICS & BENZODIAZEPINES
10:10 – 10:30 AM Psychedelics
Timothy E. Wilens, MD
10:30 – 10:50 AM Benzodiazepines & Addiction
Timothy E. Wilens, MD
10:50 – 11:20 AM Panel Discussion
Moderator: Robert R. Althoff, MD, PhD
Panelists: Timothy E. Wilens, MD
11:20 – 12:20 PM Lunch Break
MODULE TOPIC 4: OPIOIDS
12:20 – 12:50 PM Buprenorphine 101
Jessica Gray, MD
12:50 – 1:20 PM Long-Acting Injectable Buprenorphine
Laura G. Kehoe, MD, MPH, FASAM
1:20 – 1:40 PM Naltrexone Intramuscular
Laura G. Kehoe, MD, MPH, FASAM
1:40 – 2:10 PM Methadone
Laura G. Kehoe, MD, MPH, FASAM
2:10 – 2:25 PM Break
2:25 – 2:55 PM Panel Discussion
Moderator: Timothy E. Wilens, MD
Panelists: Jessica Gray, MD; Laura G. Kehoe, MD, MPH, FASAM
MODULE TOPIC 5: PAIN, WOMEN & ADDICTION
2:55 – 3:25 PM Pain
Jessica Gray, MD
3:25 – 3:45 PM Pregnancy
Jessica Gray, MD
3:45 – 4:05 PM Women & Addiction
Jessica Gray, MD
4:05 – 4:35 PM Panel Discussion
Moderator: Laura G. Kehoe, MD, MPH, FASAM
Panelists: Jessica Gray, MD
4:35 PM Adjourn
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2027
8:00 – 8:05 AM Welcome & Introduction
Laura G. Kehoe, MD, MPH, FASAM
MODULE TOPIC 6: CANNABIS
8:05 – 8:25 AM Cannabis I
Timothy E. Wilens, MD
8:25 – 8:45 AM Cannabis II
Robert R. Althoff, MD, PhD
8:45 – 9:15 AM Panel Discussion
Moderator: Laura G. Kehoe, MD, MPH, FASAM
Panelists: Timothy E. Wilens, MD; Robert R. Althoff, MD, PhD
9:15 – 9:30 AM Break
MODULE TOPIC 7: TREATMENT IN CONTINUING CARE
9:30 – 9:50 AM Motivational Interviewing
James McKowen, MD
9:50 – 10:10 AM CBT
James McKowen, MD
10:10 – 10:30 AM DBT & Other Therapies
James McKowen, MD
10:30 – 10:50 AM Digital & Gambling Addictions
James McKowen, MD
10:50 – 11:20 AM Panel Discussion
Moderator: Robert R. Althoff, MD, PhD
Panelists: James McKowen, MD
11:20 – 12:20 PM Lunch Break
MODULE TOPIC 8: COMORBIDITY I – SUBSTANCE USE, TRAUMA, AND SEX TRAFFICKING
12:20 – 12:40 PM Trauma
Abigail Judge, PhD
12:40 – 1:00 PM Sex Trafficking
Abigail Judge, PhD
1:00 – 1:30 PM Panel Discussion
Moderator: James McKowen, MD
Panelists: Abigail Judge, PhD
MODULE TOPIC 9: NICOTINE & STIMULANTS
1:30 – 1:50 PM Cocaine & Methamphetamine
Megan Hudson, MSN, PMHNP-BC
1:50 – 2:10 PM Nicotine
Megan Hudson, MSN, PMHNP-BC
2:10 – 2:30 PM GLPs
Megan Hudson, MSN, PMHNP-BC
2:30 – 3:00 PM Panel Discussion
Moderator: Abigail Judge, PhD
Panelists: Megan Hudson, MSN, PMHNP-BC
3:00 PM Adjourn
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2027
8:00 – 8:05 AM Welcome & Introduction
Vinod Rao, MD, PhD
MODULE TOPIC 10: RECOVERY SUPPORT SERVICES
8:05 – 8:25 AM Addressing and Overcoming Stigma & Discrimination in Clinical Settings
David Eddie, PhD
8:25 – 8:45 AM Peer Support and Residential Communities
David Eddie, PhD
8:45 – 9:05 AM Efficacy of Self-Help Treatments
David Eddie, PhD
9:05 – 9:25 AM Amplifying and Extending the Effects of Clinical Care
David Eddie, PhD
9:25 – 9:55 AM Panel Discussion
Moderator: Vinod Rao, MD, PhD
Panelist: David Eddie, PhD
9:55 – 10:10 AM Break
MODULE TOPIC 11: ALCOHOL & COMORBIDITY
10:10 – 10:30 AM Alcohol: Assessment and Maintenance Medications
Vinod Rao, MD, PhD
10:30 – 10:50 AM Inpatient & Outpatient Medically Managed Withdrawal
Vinod Rao, MD, PhD
10:50 – 11:10 AM Anxiety & Mood
Vinod Rao, MD, PhD
11:10 – 11:30 AM Neurotherapeutics
Vinod Rao, MD, PhD
11:30 – 12:00 PM Panel Discussion
Moderator: David Eddie, PhD
Panelist: Vinod Rao, MD, PhD
12:00 PM Adjourn
Join us at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa for our Annual Substance Use Disorder Conference.
Victorian elegance meets modern sophistication at this lavish Disney Resort hotel. Unwind outdoors, indulge in a luxurious massage, and watch evening fireworks light up the sky over Cinderella Castle. Just one stop to Magic Kingdom Park on the complimentary Resort Monorail, this timeless Victorian-style marvel evokes Palm Beach’s golden era.
We have arranged a special discounted rate for our valued Substance Use Disorder 2027 attendees. Please note that discount hotel room reservations can only be honored for those who register for the course. Once you register for the course, you will receive a hotel booking link for the discounted rates. Rooms booked without an accompanying MGH (Massachusetts General Hospital) course registration are subject to cancellation.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Standard Room: $399.00 per night (this rate does not include resort fees and tax)
Reservation Cut-Off Date: January 15, 2027
Discounted Park Passes will be available to attendees upon registration. Please use the link you receive in your confirmation email to book your room and purchase your discounted park passes.
Policy on Faculty and Provider Disclosure:
Disclosure Information
In accordance with the disclosure policy of MGH Institute of Health Professions as well as guidelines set forth by the Accreditation Council on Continuing Medical Education, all people in control of educational content, including speakers, course directors, planners, and reviewers, have been asked to disclose all financial relationships with ineligible companies for the past 24 months, as defined below:
Ineligible Companies
The ACCME defines an “Ineligible company” as “those whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.” For more information, visit accme.org/standards.
Financial Relationships
Financial relationships are those relationships in which the individual benefits by receiving a salary, royalty, intellectual property rights, consulting fee, honoraria, ownership interest (e.g., stocks, stock options, or other ownership interest, excluding diversified mutual funds), or other financial benefit. Financial benefits are usually associated with roles such as employment, management position, independent contractor (including contracted research), consulting, speaking and teaching, membership on advisory committees or review panels, board membership, and other activities from which remuneration is received, or expected.
Mitigation of Financial Relationships
All financial relationships are reviewed to determine which ones are relevant, and then measures are taken to mitigate all relevant financial relationships and ensure that they do not insert commercial bias into the content of the education.
Course Directors:
Laura G. Kehoe, MD, MPH, FASAM
Program in Substance Use and Addiction Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital
Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School
Medical Director, Health Care Resources Opioid Treatment Program
John F. Kelly, PhD, ABPP
Elizabeth R. Spallin, Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Director, MGH Recovery Research Institute
Program Director, MGH Addiction Recovery Management Service (ARMS)
Associate Director, MGH Center for Addiction Medicine
David H. Rubin, MD
Director, Division of Professional and Public Education, MGH
Executive Director, MGH Psychiatry Academy and MGH Visiting, MGH
Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School
Timothy E. Wilens, MD
Chief, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry,
(Co) Director, Center for Addiction Medicine,
Massachusetts General Hospital
Professor of Psychiatry,
Harvard Medical School
President-Elect, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Speakers:
Robert R. Althoff, MD, PhD
Professor of Psychiatry, Pediatrics, & Psychological Science
Chair, Department of Psychiatry
Director, Child Emotion Regulation Laboratory
Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont
David Eddie, PhD, ABPP
Associate Director of Clinical Translational Recovery Science
Massachusetts General Hospital
Jessica Gray, MD
Medical Director | MGH HOPE Clinic
Associate Fellowship Director | MGH Addiction Medicine Fellowship
Megan Hudson, MSN, PMHNP-BC
Clinical Nurse Educator
Abigail M. Judge, PhD
Co-Founder, Boston HEAT (Human Exploitation and Sex Trafficking)
Massachusetts General Hospital
Instructor, Harvard Medical School
Laura G. Kehoe, MD, MPH, FASAM
Program in Substance Use and Addiction Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital
Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School
Medical Director, Health Care Resources Opioid Treatment Program
James McKowen, MD, PhD
Licensed Psychologist
Assistant Professor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School & Massachusetts General Hospital
Clinical Director, Addiction Recovery Management Service (ARMS)
Co-Chair, Psychiatry Climate and Mental Health Initiative (CMHI)
Associate, MGH Center for Environment and Health
Vinod Rao, MD, PhD
Addiction Psychiatrist and Medical Director - West End Clinic
Massachusetts General Hospital
Timothy E. Wilens, MD
Chief, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry,
(Co) Director, Center for Addiction Medicine,
Massachusetts General Hospital
Professor of Psychiatry,
Harvard Medical School
President-Elect, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Available Credit
- 15.25 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 Live activity for a maximum of 15.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
- 15.25 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 15.25 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.
- 15.25 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 15.25 clock hours for continuing education credits.
- 15.25 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.
- 15.25 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 15.25 CE credit.