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
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
Recovery support often depends on tools introduced during treatment but difficult to access emotionally in the moments when they are most needed. Cognitive reframing, journaling, mindfulness, grounding, values work, and relapse-prevention concepts can be useful, but many indivi [....] » Read More
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
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
Mental health and behavioral health diagnoses are intended to clarify symptoms, guide treatment, and support healing. However, for many African American women, diagnostic encounters within psychiatric, addiction, and behavioral health settings are experienced as confusing, aliena [....] » Read More
This session explores trauma-informed healing, relational recovery, and the journey toward personal sovereignty. Whitney Walker, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, recovery coach, and host of the Women Waken Podcast, draws on her clinical expertise and spiritual guidance [....] » Read More
Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) are one of the clearest evidence-based tools we have to reduce overdose risk and support recovery, yet access is not distributed evenly across systems. One of the most persistent inequities shows up at the exact moment people enter care, [....] » Read More
Across ASAM levels of care; however, many systems continue to struggle with sustainable implementation due to role confusion, inconsistent supervision structures, workflow fragmentation, documentation challenges, productivity pressures, and peer role dilution within highly clinic [....] » 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
The contemporary understanding of pain has evolved from a biomedical model focused on tissue damage to more integrative perspectives, supported by advances in neuroscience and behavioral science. Various studies demonstrate that pain is a multifactorial experience modulated by [....] » 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
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
Substance use disorder (SUD) continues to represent a significant public health challenge in low- and middle-income countries, including Pakistan, where access to culturally responsive psychological interventions remains limited. While Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is widely [....] » 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
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: Depression is a common mental illness and a major cause of disability globally. The World Health Organization indicated that it affects approximately 3.8% of the world’s population, which accounts for 280 million persons, 5% of the adult population and 5.7% of [....] » Read More
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disorders represent a growing public health concern in Jamaica, with implications for both physical and mental health. Despite this burden, limited research has quantitatively examined the psychos [....] » Read More
Substance abuse and Schizophrenia are considered two of the most challenging mental health issues in themselves that affect people globally, however, when combined, they create an even bigger challenge. According to the World Drug Report conducted in 2015 by the United Nations, 2 [....] » Read More
Abusive leadership affects teachers’ mental health, motivation, emotional stability, and job performance at schools, especially their psychological distress, job dissatisfaction, and professional disengagement. This study explores how abusive leadership influences teachers& [....] » Read More
Background: Substance use disorders (SUDs) among youth represent a growing public health crisis in West Africa. Cannabis use prevalence in West and Central Africa reached nearly 10% in 2022, while tramadol misuse is now widespread across the sub-region (UNODC, 2024). The Tamale M [....] » Read More
The rapid expansion of digital technology and social networking platforms has transformed communication and social interaction among young people worldwide. While social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and X provide opportunities for creativity, education, an [....] » Read More
Introduction/Objectives: Tobacco use is a significant public health concern. It is a risk factor for most leading causes of death, and its health impacts span from conception to adulthood. One person dies every six seconds due to tobacco-related disease globally. This study exami [....] » 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
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
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
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Valproate, FDA-approved for mania and bipolar disorder, epilepsy, and migraines, has a black box warning given its teratogenicity. Recently, there has been concern over paternal valproate use and fetal neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD). The purpose of [....] » Read More
Background: Psychoactive substance use among adolescents is a growing public health concern globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries such as Nigeria. Early initiation, peer influence, and limited awareness of health risks increase vulnerability to substance misu [....] » Read More
Statement of the Problem: Addiction treatment models have historically emphasized symptom reduction, behavioral management, and abstinence-focused interventions while often insufficiently addressing the underlying relational and developmental trauma associated with substan [....] » Read More
The self-sustaining financial model - Operating without government funding Shalom House has operated for 15 years without government operational funding. No grants. No funding cycles. No reporting obligations that distort programme design. The model is 100% self-funded through [....] » Read More
Integrated outcome Measures - Beyond abstinence: Employment, housing, family and life skills How you measure recovery determines what kind of recovery you produce. If you measure abstinence, you produce abstinence. If you measure programme completion, you produce programme com [....] » Read More
The Ten Fingers Framework — Transforming Family and Professional Responses to Enabling Addiction is sustained by the responses of everyone around the individual. Family members, friends, employers, and professionals who with the best intentions enable continuation of the [....] » Read More
Five-Stage progression - Behavioural and neurological milestones over time served Patterns of thinking, relating, and decision-making that developed over years cannot be reversed in weeks. Expecting them to be, and then measuring outcomes at 28 or 90 days, is not treatment eva [....] » Read More
The E1-E2-E3 Classification - Measuring Genuine Readiness for Change Not everyone who presents for treatment wants to change. Many want the pain to stop. Many want to satisfy a court order. Some are not currently capable of meaningful engagement regardless of what is offered. [....] » Read More
The A–E Progression Model — Staging Addiction to Guide Intervention Timing and Intensity Most treatment systems apply the same response to a problem that looks the same on the surface but isn’t. A person at Stage B requires fundamentally different interventio [....] » 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
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
In a pre-lapse the addict may be triggered by an event, a feeling, or some sensory input, such as being around others who are using drugs or being offered drugs. Some addicts report a strong connection between an activity, such as attending a party, and drug use. This associative [....] » 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
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
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
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
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
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
Substance use disorder (SUD) is a major public health issue that affects individuals across age, socioeconomic, and cultural groups. One of the most persistent psychological barriers to recovery is denial, a cognitive distortion characterized by minimizing or rationalizing substa [....] » Read More
In today’s rapidly evolving workplace, effective leadership requires more than strategy—it demands inclusivity, psychological safety, and a commitment to meaningful DEI initiatives. This session empowers leaders to cultivate high-performing, resilient teams while prio [....] » 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
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
When separated parents are in dispute over their children, they tend to see their children as objects of parental possession and control. Children are left on the side-lines in parental battles. Well-known approaches to mediation, such as Structured, Transformative and Narrative [....] » 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
Burnout among leaders and professionals has become a silent epidemic, compromising innovation, empathy, and wellbeing in workplaces worldwide. This paper presents a neuroscience-informed and compassion-based approach to burnout recovery and prevention through the lens of Dr. Oliv [....] » Read More
This presentation explores the psychological importance of developing a reality-based perception of life and self-identity as a protective factor in suicide prevention and emotional crisis intervention. In contemporary society, many individuals are influenced by unrealistic ide [....] » 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
Objective: To explore the characteristics of the mental disorders in children, in order to provide a basis for better diagnosis and treatment. Method: A retrospective study was conducted. Among the inpatients at Xi'an Mental Health Center, children under 16 years ol [....] » 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
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
Addiction is now better appreciated as a multifaceted disorder of brain neurocognition, with work that has identified structural, functional and biochemical changes in the brain's reward, motivational and executive control systems. Recent neuroscience research indicates& [....] » 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
The oral and video versions of the presentation demonstrate that modern physiological science cannot explain the biological mechanisms by which the body shifts from one adaptation range to a higher one when the intensity of external stimuli increases above sub-extreme levels, as [....] » Read More
Background: Living with a partner who has Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) causes deep emotional trauma. However, very little medical literature looks at what happens when that partner also has Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disord [....] » 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
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
Mood disorders remain therapeutically challenging, with many patients failing to achieve full remission despite existing treatments. Research in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) has largely focused on higher cognitive processes such as rumination, cognitive biases, and executive [....] » Read More
Title : Integrating bibliopoetry therapy and digital health technologies for inflammation management: A neuropsychosomatic perspective
Nile Stanley, University of North Florida, United States
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
Title : The storm within: Neuropsychological insights into dysregulation and substance use in the adolescent brain
Ann Marie Leonard Zabel, Curry College, 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 : What to do when a tragedy strikes
Alphonsus Obayuwana, Triple-H Project LLC, United States
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
Title : Addiction and the failure of meaning-forming
Jenni Guentcheva, GTI, 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 : Trauma: The root of addiction
John Michael Weber, Open Door Mission in Houston Texas, United States
The present work will look to change the thinking of those who collaborate with those unfortunate people dealing with substance abuse disorders as well as mental health disorders. The addiction treatment model has been wrong for a long time. This is understandable considering tha [....] » 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 : Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde revealed: Tales from the default mode network
Christopher Ashton, TEDDs on Chapel, Center 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, 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 : Beating the blues today
Steve Cohen, Medvesta Hypnosis Healthcare, United States
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
Title : An unusual perspective for understanding and preventing bulimia relapse: Unhealthy sibling loyalty
Karen Gail Lewis, private practice, United States
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
Title : Human trafficking in the healthcare setting
Steven W Powell, Our Rescue, United States
Human trafficking and exploitation represent a growing public health and behavioral health crisis affecting communities across the United States and globally. Victims frequently interact with healthcare systems while actively being trafficked, yet many healthcare professionals re [....] » 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 : Enhancing substance use disorder group therapy: Experiential methods for safety, engagement & impact
Mordy Gottlieb, The Mordy Effect, United States
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
Title : Leading through tragedy: Crisis leadership and building resiliency
Robert Reardon, Duxbury Fire Department, United States
True leadership is revealed not in calm, but in crisis. As a fire chief and emergency management leader, I have guided teams through incidents that demanded split-second decisions under national scrutiny. Among them was the Lindsey Clancy tragedy, where a mother took the lives of [....] » Read More
Title : The digital frontline: Adapting crisis intervention models for text-based support during national conflict
Ayelet Bord, SAHAR-Online Mental Support, United States
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
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 : Medical innovations in addiction relapse prevention: Emerging neurobiologic and psychedelic-assisted therapies
Stephanie Leopold, KNEW, United States
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
Title : Mobile phone crisis intervention for substance use disorder
Eric Cohen, Livio Labs, United States
Substance use disorder and anxiety disorders share a common challenge: acute episodes of emotional dysregulation lasting 10-30 minutes, during which individuals experience intense cravings, panic, or shame. Traditional interventions require scheduled clinical appointments (unavai [....] » Read More
Title : Integrating addiction medicine, behavioral health, and psychiatry to improve mental health outcomes among youth and vulnerable populations
Isaac Osei Gyan, Devry University, United States
Substance use disorders and mental health conditions remain significant public health concerns worldwide, particularly among youth and vulnerable populations. The increasing misuse of alcohol, opioids, and other psychoactive substances has contributed to rising rates of depressio [....] » Read More
Title : Stages of change and recovery engagement: Evidence from URICA assessments in residential treatment
Ahmad Ahnaf Amin, Georgia Health Policy Center, United States
Substance use recovery among adolescents and emerging adults is a dynamic process that involves changes in motivation, behavior, and the ability to sustain recovery over time. This study utilized the URICA (University of Rhode Island Change Assessment) tool to examine readiness f [....] » Read More
Title : Factors of psychological well-being among practicing psychologists in the context of axiopsychological model of posttraumatic growth
Yuriy Nazar, University of Turku, Finland
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
Title : Arts therapy: From free expression in psychiatric asylums to currently therapeutic recognition
Scharbach Hugues, Paris University, France
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
Title : Gamification of treatment and exposure to positive feeling states via virtual reality in substance use disorder: A literature review
Lisa Starkman, Freedom from Addiction Inc., United States
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
Title : Sex and love addiction in the digital age
Jeffrey 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 : The role of tobacco use in physical aggression beyond anger and hostility
Komal Lnu, Mississippi State University, United States
Aggressive behavior is an important public health concern in young adulthood. This is the developmental stage that involves identity exploration, accepting responsibility of one’s self, and making independent decisions. (Arnett. J.J., 2000). Increased aggression in this sta [....] » Read More
Title : Association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and adolescent substance use: a critical literature review
Kaitlin Paczosa, Azusa Pacific University, United States
Adolescent substance use is a growing public health concern in the United States and a global burden that research shows is connected to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). The purpose of this literature review is to understand the relationship between ACEs and adolescent subst [....] » Read More