Tragedy, by definition, is an event that causes great suffering. It is often sudden, usually unpredictable, and no one is immune. Examples include earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, flooding, severe droughts, epidermic infections, and large-scale environmental p [....] » Read More
The relapse rate for bulimia treatment is more than 50%. This is regardless the type of treatment – whether inpatient, outpatient, family, or individual therapy. Years ago, working in an Eating Disorder clinic, I stumbled on a surprise: the role of siblings in the ons [....] » Read More
In my recent effort to achieve disability compensation for the Department of Veterans Affairs, I was called upon to go back and recall what past events in the military affected my current mental health status. 25 years ago, I unlocked the key to my trauma with the help of the [....] » Read More
Beating the Blues is a powerful, research-informed keynote session designed to help individuals transform moments of emotional fatigue and stress into opportunities for resilience and renewed purpose. Rooted in psychology, behavioral science, and cognitive reframing, this session [....] » Read More
Mental health issues often lead individuals to express themselves through drawing, painting, clay modeling, wood and decoration, as well as writings, either spontaneously or guided by psychotherapists. Within the psychiatric field, particularly in institutional settings, psych [....] » Read More
Substance use disorders remain a global public health challenge, with relapse rates frequently exceeding 50–70% depending on substance type and comorbid psychiatric conditions. Despite established interventions such as medication-assisted treatment, behavioral therapy, and [....] » Read More
This presentation explores how Twelve Step principles can be adapted to address emerging behavioral addictions beyond substance use. Contemporary clinical practice increasingly recognizes compulsive relationships with food, perfectionism, work, achievement, and digital engagement [....] » Read More
Group therapy forms the backbone of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment programs, yet many clinicians and paraprofessionals receive little formal training in how to facilitate effective groups. Shame, fear of judgment and disengagement often prevent clients from fully particip [....] » Read More
Since its inception in 2023, the One Mind Accelerator has championed bold and determined founders of early-stage startups with the network, education and capital to build category-defining companies that radically improve the lives of people facing mental health challenges. Th [....] » Read More
As the landscape of behavioral health shifts toward digital accessibility, the necessity for evidence- based, scalable online intervention models has never been more urgent. This presentation examines the clinical framework of SAHAR-Online Mental Support, an Israeli organization [....] » Read More
Background: Benzodiazepines and Z-drugs (BZD) are ongoing concerns due to dependence and associated risks of falls, care accidents, cognitive impairment and death. Limited evidence examined the changes in BZD prescriptions after the Committee of Safety on Medicine advise on their [....] » Read More
Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and behavioral interventions remain central components of contemporary smoking cessation treatment. At the same time, nicotine withdrawal continues to involve complex sensory, autonomic, behavioral, and physiological manifestations that may nega [....] » Read More
Introduction India has a historic tradition of cannabis use legal edible “bhang” made from cannabis leaves.It sold by government licensed shops across many parts of the country. However, consumers of this market have not been adequately studied. Pattern of dr [....] » Read More
The global crisis conditions characterized by systemic instability may cause unprecedented psychological challenges for well-being of mental health professionals. Practicing psychologists must navigate their own personal safety while simultaneously providing critical care to a tr [....] » Read More
Introduction: There is currently a high global burden of substance use, which is burdensome to the public health and welfare system. Adequate treatment, including aftercare services, is often limited worldwide. In South Africa (SA), substance abuse contributes considerably to mor [....] » Read More
Objectives: Unplanned discharge is a common concern in residential substance use disorder (SUD) programs and is linked to harm including death by suicide as well as relapse and readmission. Program factors as well as staff behaviours can play a role in unplanned discharge event [....] » Read More
Recovery Education through Synergistic Partnerships to Address OUD for Primary CliNical ProviDers (RESPOND) is a nine-month, asynchronous online training program developed at Viterbo University and supported by Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant funding. Th [....] » Read More
Substance use disorders (SUDs) continue to represent a significant public health concern in the United States, particularly in rural and underserved communities where access to treatment services is limited. Social workers play a critical role in the prevention, assessment, treat [....] » Read More
Virtual reality (VR) is emerging as a promising treatment modality for substance use disorder (SUD), offering repeatable, customizable therapeutic exposures difficult to replicate in traditional clinical settings. Despite growing interest, the combined potential of VR-delivered [....] » Read More
Adolescent substance use and substance use disorders (SUDs) remain a persistent public health concern with long-term implications for mental health, social functioning, and adult addiction risk. Adolescence represents a uniquely sensitive neurodevelopmental period characterized b [....] » Read More
The study was designed to establish and evaluate the impact of a Balint training course on empathy and self-efficacy in fourth-year medical students during their clinical experience. Several potential moderators of the relationship were also examined, including openness to experi [....] » Read More
Anxiety can be misidentified as sexual arousal, eroticized (misattribution of arousal). Sexual arousal can be anxiogenic (sexual arousal can be misidentified as anxiety). Sex can be anxiolytic. Gender roles are connected to anxiety: masculinity is anxiogenic, femininity anxiolyti [....] » Read More
This presentation explores the innovative integration of bibliopoetry therapy and wearable smart watch technology in managing inflammation through a multidisciplinary lens that complements the focus on the molecular, cellular, and systemic mechanisms underlying inflammatory respo [....] » Read More
Dr Goldstein will initially present a brief clinical pharmacological summary on aspects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) including the endogenous cannabinoid (CBD) receptor system, mechanism of action, addiction liability, physical dependence, therapeutic uses, and adverse e [....] » Read More
In my work with recovering addicts, I have been focusing on three distinct occurrences for the patient who has experienced at least one episode of relapse: Pre-lapse Relapse Post-lapse In a pre-lapse the addict may be triggered by an event, a feeling, or some senso [....] » Read More
Addiction, trauma?linked reactivity, and emotional dysregulation are characterized by rapid transitions from prefrontal executive control to limbic dominance. Neuroscience research demonstrates that sub?second fluctuations in amygdala activation, dopaminergic reward prediction, a [....] » Read More
Neural mechanisms for self regulation feature prominently in studies of addiction, which is characterized by the inability to resist compulsive behavior. Such mechanisms entail not just top down processes involved in the execution of decision making events, but also the neural re [....] » Read More
Background: Problematic social media use (PSMU) has emerged as a significant addictive behavior, influenced by a complex interplay of sociodemographic, behavioral, and psychosocial factors. Few explored PSMU in pregnant women, though women could be more vulnerable for PSMU. Thi [....] » Read More
Addiction disorders, behavioral health conditions, and psychiatric illnesses collectively represent a major and escalating global health burden, characterized by complex neurobiological mechanisms involving neurotransmitter dysregulation, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, impa [....] » Read More
Internet addiction has emerged as a significant behavioral and public health concern, particularly among children and adolescents who are exposed to digital media at increasingly younger ages. While clinical management often focuses on individual treatment, growing evidence sugge [....] » Read More
Mental health in the workplace is essential for both employees and organizations. Good mental well-being supports productivity, job satisfaction, and positive workplace culture, while poor mental health can lead to stress, burnout, and lower performance. Many organizations are no [....] » Read More
This paper discusses importance of total quality management (TQM) in addiction medicine, behavioural health and psychiatry. The traditional view of viewing an organization is by surveying the vertical dimension by keeping eye of an organization chart. [....] » Read More
Background and aims: In epileptology, a huge layer of clinical facts have been accumulated, many of which have not received a proper explanation. An attempt to explain some of the clinical manifestations of epilepsy is presented. Methods: Consideration of these clinical [....] » Read More
Background: Addiction is commonly measured through endpoints: substance use or abstinence, symptom severity, treatment attendance, and relapse. Yet compulsive behavior unfolds as a moving process. Vulnerability, distress, salience, executive control, resilience, treatment ef [....] » Read More
Purpose: Parental alcohol and/or drug misuse can have a detrimental impact on children. The aim of this presentation is to help professionals to understand how children may be affected, to identify concerns early and ensure children get the help and protection they need. Desig [....] » Read More
This presentation proposes an interpretation of the phenomenon of drug use grounded in the singularity of human temporality, taking as its theoretical foundation the phenomenological-hermeneutic perspective of Martin Heidegger, particularly as developed in Being and Time. It begi [....] » Read More
Substance use disorders remain associated with high relapse rates despite standard treatments combining pharmacotherapy and psychosocial interventions (Krishnan, 2024). In this context, there is growing interest in complementary and integrative approaches, including those deriv [....] » Read More
While kratom has been used for various recreational reasons for many years, a new concentrate derived from kratom named 7-OH is on the rise. The 7-OH concentrates are often marketed alongside kratom and is sold online or in local convenience stores 7-OH. Both kratom and 7-OH are [....] » Read More
Background: Opioid use disorder (OUD) remains a major public health crisis in the United States, contributing to substantial morbidity, mortality, healthcare utilization, and socioeconomic burden. Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), including methadone, buprenorphine, and [....] » Read More
Bipolar disorder is a complex mental health condition that affects millions of individuals worldwide, yet it continues to be surrounded by stigma, misunderstanding, and misconceptions. These challenges can create barriers to early recognition, appropriate support, and meaningful [....] » Read More
First: We need crisis response reform. Dedicated mental health rapid response teams separate from police. No flashing lights. No shackles for compliant patients. Trauma-informed transport protocols written into law. Second: We need psychiatric environments designed for healing [....] » Read More
Aims As an epidemic, U.S. teenagers’ electronic vapor product use increased by 1800% and having ever used e-cigarettes increased 4 times from 2011 to 2019. In Florida alone, 11.4% of middle and high schoolers reported vaping in 2022, a fivefold increase from 2011, highli [....] » Read More
Aims As an epidemic, U.S. teenagers’ electronic vapor product use increased by 1800% and having ever used e-cigarettes increased 4 times from 2011 to 2019. In Florida alone, 11.4% of middle and high schoolers reported vaping in 2022, a fivefold increase from 2011, highli [....] » Read More
Background: There are many reports on the adverse impact of sexual trauma on mental health. In recent years, we have encountered a significant increase in the reported cases of sexual trauma. In workplaces where power hierarchy is an essence for the organization, there has b [....] » Read More
Military sexual trauma (MST) is a public health issue with consequences that can extend far beyond the original assault or harassment. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reports that about one in three women veterans screened in VA health care disclose MST. Research also lin [....] » Read More
Identity restoration is the process of learning who we truly are beneath the layers of addiction, survival mode, guilt, and unmet pain. It begins with honest self-discovery. What we like. What we dislike. What gives us energy. What drains us. Who around us supports growth, and [....] » Read More
Students with reading disabilities are disproportionately impacted by behavioral health challenges, yet leadership frameworks often separate literacy intervention from mental health and family systems support. This presentation explores how special education literacy leaders se [....] » Read More
Vaping affects over 100 million people worldwide and is the leading form of tobacco use among youth. Yet existing interventions remain reactive, non-individualized, and achieve only 24–50% short-term cessation success. The central scientific gap is temporal: no current fram [....] » Read More
Burnout among healthcare professionals has become one of the defining challenges of modern medicine, contributing to emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, reduced professional fulfillment, and increasing rates of mental illness, substance use, and workforce attrition. Although [....] » Read More
Oxidative stress is a key mechanism underlying aging, chronic diseases, and behavioral health disorders. The primary source of this oxidative damage is endogenous intoxication - the accumulation of metabolic toxins that continuously generate free radicals. Conventional antioxidan [....] » Read More
Below the knee amputations (BKAs) are performed in trauma and diabetic patients where limb damage is too severe to be salvaged and is potentially life-threatening. However, patients face several mental and physical challenges post-BKA. Both trauma and diabetic patients experience [....] » Read More
Background: Emerging tobacco products, particularly e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches, witness a rapid rise in the United States and globally. While rural residents were reported to have disproportionately higher risk for traditional tobacco and marijuana use separately, no resea [....] » Read More
Background: Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a complex obstacle currently affecting the healthcare system in our country. While there have been many efforts to help those impacted by OUD, Arizona is one of the few states where overdose deaths have increased in the past year. The unho [....] » Read More
Title : The storm within: Neuropsychological insights into dysregulation and substance use in the adolescent brain
Ann Marie Leonard Zabel, Curry College and NEALAC Clinic , United States
Adolescents struggling with substance use often display emotional volatility, impulsivity, and behavioral dysregulation—hallmarks of a deeper neurodevelopmental imbalance. This keynote explores the “storm within,” a dynamic interplay between a hyperactive limbic [....] » Read More
Title : Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde revealed: Tales from the default mode network
Christopher Ashton, TeDDs on Chapel, Centre for Recovery, Canada
The discovery of the default mode network (DMN) over 20 years ago has provided a new perspective in understanding brain function, the nature of consciousness, and behaviour. Frequently overlapping and including nuclei of the limbic system, the DMN is a distributed and integrated [....] » Read More
Title : Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde revealed: Tales from the default mode network
Denise Duffie, TeDDs on Chapel, Centre for Recovery, Canada
The discovery of the default mode network (DMN) over 20 years ago has provided a new perspective in understanding brain function, the nature of consciousness, and behaviour. Frequently overlapping and including nuclei of the limbic system, the DMN is a distributed and integrated [....] » Read More
Title : Addiction and the failure of meaning-forming
Jenni Guentcheva, GoodNeighbor LLC, United States
The current, predominantly reactive approach toward addiction is based on prevention and treatment intervention models connected to the motivation to use, such as peer pressure, boredom, coping with negative emotions, followed by maintaining a sense of normalcy and avoiding [....] » Read More
Title : Reward deficiency syndrome solution patient claims ‘dopamine homeostasis’ provided the neurological stability to begin focusing upon healing psychic fracture associated with chronic post-traumatic stress disorder dissociative multiplicity
Elizabeth Dale Gilley, The Elle Foundation, United States
Introduction: This Editorial provides an update to the Elle Foundation Research Institute 100’s Family Genomic Series, including Case Studies 101-104 and 106. Our proband in Case Study 101 is in year 6 of a 10-year longitudinal Reward Deficiency Syndrome Solution case study [....] » Read More
Title : Kratom: Exploring its pharmacology, mental health effects, and new challenges for addiction and behavioral health experts
Kimberly Lannon, Dr. Kimberly Lannon and Gameface Consulting, United States
As substance use evolves, clinicians increasingly encounter Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa), marketed as a natural remedy for pain, anxiety, depression, opioid withdrawal, and overall wellness. Although legal in many areas and widely available, concerns are growing about its psychoac [....] » Read More
Title : Understanding polyvagal dysregulation, addiction, and relationships: A holistic framework for mental health and recovery
Kimberly Lannon, Dr. Kimberly Lannon and Gameface Consulting, United States
Addiction rarely occurs alone. Recent research shows that autonomic nervous system dysregulation is key to the development and recurrence of addictions. This presentation explores addiction through Polyvagal Theory, focusing on how chronic autonomic dysregulation impacts emotiona [....] » Read More
Title : Sex and love addiction in the digital age
Jeffrey M Robbins, Brigham and Women's Hospital, United States
The digital revolution has fundamentally transformed human sexuality, creating unprecedented access to sexual content, anonymous interactions, virtual relationships, and high-intensity stimulation through internet pornography, social media, dating applications, webcams, virtual r [....] » Read More
Title : Crisis to hope: Transforming behavioral health with the EmPATH model
Lindsey Jasinski, University of Kentucky Healthcare, United States
As behavioral health needs surge, our systems remain stuck – fragmented, overwhelmed, and ineffective at treatment or instilling hope for those in need. Patients often board for days or weeks, waiting on a local bed, with little treatment. Safety risks in the emergenc [....] » Read More
Title : Ancestral strengths: Understanding historical trauma and building resiliency through the collaboration of Native American teachings and evidence-based practices
Jerad E Todacheenie, Nat-su Healthcare, United States
Native American communities continue to face signi?cant challenges related to substance use, including higher rates of addiction, limited access to effective treatment, and experiences shaped by stereotypes and systemic inequities. Many current treatment models do not fully acc [....] » Read More
Title : The gut–brain axis in recovery
Katie Pierce, Ezer Health and Wellness, United States
Recovery from addiction is traditionally approached through psychotherapy, medication, peer support, and behavioral interventions. However, emerging research highlights the significance of physiological factors—such as gastrointestinal inflammation, dysbiosis, and compromis [....] » Read More
Title : Implementation of a robust screening program for hepatitis C, hepatitis B, and human immunodeficiency virus in an EmPATH emergency psychiatric setting: An opportunity for collaboration and integration
Lindsey Jasinski, University of Kentucky Healthcare, United States
Objectives: Behavioral health populations remain at high risk for hepatitis C (HCV), hepatitis B (HBV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, but screening rates in those settings remain quite low. Further, while effective treatments exist, significant barriers still [....] » Read More
Title : Rebuilding from the inside out: The Well and the Tree model for sustainable recovery
Cameron Lundstrom, NAS Recovery Solutions, United States
Many recovery approaches focus primarily on stopping substance use. While abstinence is important, it does not always address the deeper internal patterns that lead individuals back into cycles of addiction. The Well and the Tree model offers a different perspective by focusing o [....] » Read More
Title : The ripple effect: A mother’s perspective on addiction, mental health, and family recovery
Linda Lundstrom, NAS Recovery Solutions, United States
When addiction and mental health challenges enter a family, no one remains untouched. While much of the conversation focuses on the individual struggling, the experiences of parents, siblings, spouses, and children are often overlooked. In this powerful and deeply personal presen [....] » Read More
Title : From home to abroad: Understanding personality, wellbeing, stress, social support and cultural adjustment
Priyanka, University of West London, United Kingdom
Moving abroad is often viewed as an exciting opportunity for personal, educational, or professional growth. However, adjusting to life in a new country can also bring considerable psychological and social challenges. Being away from familiar surroundings, relationships, cultural [....] » Read More
Title : TAMAR (Trauma, Addiction, Mental Health, and Recovery)
Angelo Reynolds, Transformers Academy, LLC, United States
TAMAR represents Trauma, Addiction, Mental Health, and Recovery. This presentation aims to provide individuals with insight into how adverse experiences, referred to as "trauma," may influence their lives and outlines pathways toward healing. Emphasis will focus on id [....] » Read More
Title : Suicide prevention strategies for the law enforcement profession
Stephanie Schweitzer Dixon, SSD Consulting, United States
Suicide may be the most dangerous threat to a law enforcement officer's well-being, safety, and life in today's world. The exact number of law enforcement deaths by suicide remains unknown due to inconsistent data regarding law enforcement officer deaths by suicide even a [....] » Read More