Session Descriptions
Thursday, March 9, 2017 | 8:30 am - 10:15 am
Contrary to what is often claimed, the source of addiction is not to be found in genes, but in the early childhood environment where the neurobiology of the brain’s reward pathways develops. Stress, both then and later in life, creates the predisposition for addictions, whether to drugs, alcohol, nicotine, or to behavioral addictions such as shopping or sex. Helping the addicted individual requires that we appreciate the function of the addiction in his or her life. Once we recognize the roots of addiction, and the lack it strives (in vain) to fill, we can develop a compassionate approach toward the addict; one that stands the best chance of restoring him or her to wholeness and health. This session will discuss what happens chemically and physiologically in the brains of people with substance dependency or behavior addiction as well as the development of the addicted mind. Ideas surrounding a therapeutic relationship in which healing is possible, and how to encourage the addict to take responsibility will be presented.
Upon completion of this session, attendees will be able to:
- Understand the source of addictions.
- Distinguish the social basis of addiction in economic, cultural and political dislocation and disempowerment.
- Develop the capacity to foster a therapeutic relationship in which healing is possible.
Thursday, March 9, 2017 | 10:45 am - 12:15 pm
Clients often do not fit neatly into one diagnostic category, rendering it imperative that clinicians approach them in an integrative, collaborative manner. Psychotherapy, psychiatry and medical specialties are being challenged to break down the historical silos and respect one another’s seat at the table when providing comprehensive treatment. This presentation will explore the biology, genetics, trauma, environment and life experiences that contribute to the development of addiction and/or mental health disorders. We will discuss the importance of collaborative, integrated treatment in healing the whole person, as well as family members, throughout the continuum of care. In addition we will provide case studies and examples of collaborative integrative treatment plans.
This presentation will explore the biology, genetics, trauma, environment and life experience that contribute to the development of addiction and/or mental health disorders. We will discuss the importance of Collaborative, Integrated Treatment in healing the whole person, as well as family members, throughout the continuum of care. In addition, we will provide case studies and examples of collaborative integrative treatment plans.
Upon completion of this session, attendees will be able to:
- Formulate a practical, working understanding of “co-occurring” and “multiple diagnoses” disorders by age and gender.
- Identify the most common psychiatric disorders found among populations with addiction and substance or process abuse histories
- Utilize a flexible, collaborative template for the development of treatment planning and specific outcomes
- Develop specific plans of treatment involving family, community and other professionals
- Gain specific strategies and interventions in the family counseling setting that involve complex co-occurring disorders
P03 - The Neuroscience of Spirituality: What Happens in the Brain with Meditation, Yoga, Holistic Healing and 12-Step Fellowship
Thursday, March 9, 2017 | 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
It is common knowledge that meditation, yoga, acupuncture and other alternative healing methods can be effective in helping individuals with stress reduction and mood stabilization, but the conversation usually ends with testimonials. In this session, Karim will provide the science behind these holistic medicine treatment modalities. When armed with the science in addition to treatment experience and patient/client testimonials, participants will be better able to describe and prescribe alternative treatment methods with greater confidence and insight. This session looks at the neurochemistry, neuroimaging, and neurobiological changes associated with spiritual practice. We will discover how important spirituality really is in mental health and addiction treatment. Karim blends the best of the East and West in this cutting edge presentation explaining how meditation, yoga and alternative healing works in the brain.
Upon completion of this session, attendees will be able to:
- Explain how meditation, yoga and faith-based healing works in the brain.
- Explain neurotheology.
- Explain why holistic and alternative treatments can be used to decrease the amount of medications prescribed for our patients.
Thursday, March 9, 2017 | 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
In this session, Karim will provide an in-depth look on how to apply spiritual techniques in clinical care including balancing modern day technological advances in pharmacology, imaging, testing and machinery with eastern and alternative methods of healing. He will highlight how to utilize spiritual treatment options, and assessments specifically in drug treatment recovery and mental health treatment to elicit better outcomes. Participants will learn how new research data in AA can be employed in an overall treatment plan.
Upon completion of this session, attendees will be able to:
- Learn how to practically employ spiritual methods of treatment into an overall treatment regimen.
- Learn the concept of integration specifically in balancing older spiritual treatment techniques with high powered modern day technology.
- Understand the power of an individual's spirituality in regard to their overall self-concept.
W02 - Bullying: A Mental Health Crisis
Thursday, March 9, 2017 | 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
A once acceptable “right of passage,” bullying among youth in today’s society increasingly has been found to have a significantly negative impact on the behavioral health of children and adolescents. Further, technology has led to new forms of bullying that have enabled bullies to become harsher and kept them relatively immune from the consequences of their actions. This session will explore the common forms of bullying youth are facing as well as the impact on the social and emotional development of children. Additionally we will explore interventions and therapeutic approaches aimed at increasing resilience in bullied youth.
Upon completion of this session, attendees will be able to:
- Identify the various direct and indirect methods related to bullying
- Understand how to identify warning signs in bullied youth
- Expand their knowledge of intervention techniques to help bullied youth recover
Thursday, March 9, 2017 | 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
During this presentation, Dr. Lee will discuss the neurophysiology of trauma—how it starts, how it develops in the brain, and how it manifests in everyday life. This session will also examine co-occurring disorders commonly seen in association with severe trauma. Finally, Dr. Lee will review different medication management strategies that can be utilized to effectively treat trauma and co-occurring disorders in conjunction with psychotherapy in an integrated multi-disciplinary treatment program.
Upon completion of this session, attendees will be able to:
- Explain the neurophysiology of trauma.
- Describe various co-occurring disorders that develop after severe trauma.
- Identify medication management strategies to treat trauma and co-occurring disorders.
W04 - Trauma, Attachment and Addiction: Healing Relational Wounds by Cultivating Mindfulness and Self-Compassion
Thursday, March 9, 2017 | 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Child maltreatment can profoundly influence human development, resulting in a variety of mental, emotional and social challenges—including addictive disorders. Attachment theory is a useful framework for understanding how early relational experiences can have such far-reaching effects. Insecure attachment styles, such as attachment-related avoidance and anxiety (i.e., love avoidance and love addiction), are associated with suboptimal patterns of expressing and regulating emotions. In turn, attachment insecurity and emotion dysregulation are related to addictive behavior. Attendees will learn how the practice of mindfulness and compassion can be an antidote to these unhealthy patterns and can foster emotional self-regulation, greater capacity for intimacy and a general sense of well-being.
Upon completion of this session, attendees will be able to:
- Identify general principles of attachment theory and describe how they can be used as a framework to better conceptualize the effects of child maltreatment.
- Recognize the suboptimal patterns of expressing and regulating emotions that are associated with attachment-related avoidance and anxiety.
- Apply therapeutic techniques using mindfulness and self-compassion to help others cultivate greater intimacy and well-being.
Friday, March 10, 2017 | 8:30 am-10:00 am
Over the past two decades “designer drugs” have received renewed popularity, particularly among young people. Despite being marketed as “bath salts” or “plant food” and labeled “not for human consumption,” people utilize these substances for their amphetamine- or cocaine-like effects. Since the time of their appearance in the recreational drug market, there have been numerous confirmed cases of abuse, dependence, severe intoxication and deaths related to the consumption of synthetic cathinones. The aim of this presentation is to summarize the clinical, pharmacological and toxicological information about this class of designer drugs of abuse. Danesh Alam will review the review some of these drugs and their diagnostic challenges.
Upon completion of this session, attendees will be able to:
Over the past two decades “designer drugs” have received renewed popularity, particularly among young people. Despite being marketed as “bath salts” or “plant food” and labeled “not for human consumption,” people utilize these substances for their amphetamine- or cocaine-like effects. Since the time of their appearance in the recreational drug market, there have been numerous confirmed cases of abuse, dependence, severe intoxication and deaths related to the consumption of synthetic cathinones. The aim of this presentation is to summarize the clinical, pharmacological and toxicological information about this class of designer drugs of abuse. Danesh Alam will review the review some of these drugs and their diagnostic challenges.
Upon completion of this session, attendees will be able to:
- Describe basic classes of designer drugs and discuss the sources of synthetic cathinones and how users acquire these drugs.
- Discuss the basic mechanism of action of these drugs of abuse on the brain and body.
- Outline the risks these drugs pose to those that use them.
- Describe treatment considerations for acute intoxication as well as chronic dependence.
- Define and consider the steps the public, governmental agencies and health professionals should take to reduce the risk of these drugs to the public.
W06 - Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: How Mindfulness and Value-Driven Action Can Offer a Meaningful Life to the Addicted Mind
Friday, March 10, 2017 | 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
ACT, or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, is a mindfulness-based practice and an evidence-based, third wave behavioral treatment. ACT supports people with addictions in taking committed action according to their own personal values, rather than being driven by the avoidance of psychological pain through use of substances or addictive processes. Using mindfulness practices as well as other techniques, including acceptance, willingness, and “de-fusion,” to respond to the inevitable pain of life, participants in an ACT-based group are freer to base behavioral choices on their own values. This leads to a more fulfilling, gratifying experience of life and can help greatly with preventing relapse into substance or process-based addictions. Studies have shown ACT to be effective in a variety of forms of psychological/neurobehavioral suffering, including depression, anxiety, OCD, and psychosis. Evidence also supports ACT as an effective tool to help those with addictions, both substance-based and process-related (e.g., gaming, gambling, pornography, etc.). The presentation will describe ACT, some of its theoretical basis, and how it is being applied in a group setting at Yellowbrick—an intensive treatment program for Emerging Adults—to help those with addictions and others.
Upon completion of this session, attendees will be able to:
- Understand the principles and basic theoretical underpinning of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Describe how an ACT-based group is organized in an Intensive Outpatient Program setting that includes those with addictions
- Understand how ACT can be applied specifically to the treatment of addictions
Friday, March 10, 2017 | 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Process or behavioral addictions are not nearly as well understood as substance use disorders. However, gambling disorder stands out as the best understood and bears many similarities to substance use disorders and other behavioral addictions. As such it is an ideal “lens” through which to understand the other process addictions. In addition internet gaming is rapidly gaining attention as a possible bona fide disorder as well although it remains in section 3 of DSM-5. Fantasy sports, an activity that is enjoying popularity in a variety of venues, is controversial as to whether or not it should be considered gambling or not. This presentation will survey the history of gambling and its clinical aspects, compare and contrast it with internet gaming, and discuss some of the controversies surrounding fantasy sports.
Upon completion of this session the attendee will be able to:
Upon completion of this session the attendee will be able to:
- Explain the role of games of chance through pre-history and history.
- List clinical similarities between substance use disorders and gambling disorder.
- Compare and contrast gambling disorder with internet gaming.
- Discuss the controversy surrounding fantasy sports.
Friday, March 10, 2017 | 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is seen disproportionally in addiction treatment settings because of the association of BPD with impulse control including substance use disorder. BPD holds particular challenges because of the nature of the disorder which includes high levels of emotional dysregulation and the tendency for self-harm and suicidality. This session is intended to discuss a number of aspects of the disorder in relation to addiction including etiology, predisposition, clinical presentation and treatment. The use of Acceptance-Commitment Therapy and Emotion Focused Therapy will be discussed along with some case examples and practical strategies for management both for individuals and families
Upon completion of this session, attendees will be able to:
- Define psychological antecedents of borderline personality disorder.
- Discuss treatment modalities using behavioral and medical techniques.
- Obtain a clinical understanding of borderline personality disorder.
Friday, March 10, 2017 | 1:15 pm - 2:45 pm
Not so long ago, cheating and infidelity were mostly defined in physical terms. But what defines cheating today, in our age of webcams, online porn and adult friend finder apps? This presentation will help attendees gain insight into the meaning and experience of relationship infidelity in the digital age-for both “cheater” and spouse. Today, clinicians and hurting couples need new language and revised skillsets to get beyond past understandings of cheating to actively help such couples rebuild relationship trust. This talk provides a reset for professionals working those who are acting out their needs and desires in a digital world, while offering new views toward addressing sexual and romantic acting out, via social media and the web. With new clarity regarding what defines cheating today, we can help couples find the empathy, honesty and lasting behavior change required to grow relationship intimacy. This discussion will offer an overview of the problem along with specific empathy, relationship rebuilding skills necessary toward healing these painful situations.
Upon completion of this session, attendees will be able to:
- Understand three specific forms of denial that digital cheaters use to justify their online exploits.
- Understand five specific activities that those couples experiencing digital infidelity can be taught, to help regrow and heal infidelity-broken relationships
- Gain insight into the emotional interactions least helpful toward healing a shattered primary relationship
Friday, March 10, 2017 | 3:15 pm - 4:45 pm
According to the Department of Health and Human Services and other federal and state agencies, the United States is in the midst of an addiction crisis. To address this national emergency, healthcare professionals nationwide must adopt strategies proven to combat substance use in their patients. The literature shows that Measurement-Based Care (MBC)—the practice of basing clinical care on client data collected throughout treatment—is effective in treating addiction, yet it is grossly underused and misunderstood as a standard of care in substance use disorder treatment. Addiction professionals and healthcare facilities nationwide need to understand MBC and implement its use at all levels of treatment. This session will introduce MBC and discuss how it can be applied within treatment plans, while also addressing the barriers to its use.
Upon completion of this session, attendees will be able to:
- Define the meaning of Measurement-Based Care (MBC)
- Explain the use of MBC in treating patients with substance use
- Describe the barriers to using MBC in the healthcare field
Saturday, March 11, 2017 | 8:30 am - 10:00 am
The need to give and receive apologies permeates all of our relationships until our last breath. Yet many apologies are ambiguous, insufficient, blame-reversing, or downright sneaky and mean. In this session, Lerner will explain what drives the non-apologizer, while addressing the compelling needs of the injured party—the one who has been hurt by someone who won't take responsibility or feel remorse. Lerner provides a profoundly insightful look into what the good apology requires, and how we can restore compromised and broken relationships.
Upon completion of this session, attendees will be able to:
- Identify what drives the non-apologizer and why the people who do the worst things are the least able to own up and make amends.
- Identify the most essential and difficult ingredient of the good apology when the words “I’m sorry” aren’t enough.
- Identify how the hurt party unwittingly contributes to the other person’s defensiveness and refusal to apologize.
P07A - When The Titanic Meets The Iceberg: Addressing the Trauma Underneath Heroin Addiction, Criminality and Self-Harming Behavior
Saturday, March 11, 2017 | 10:15 am - 11:45 am
In this session you will learn strategies in the clinical relationship to address five types of trauma that are at the core of heroin addiction, criminality and self harming behavior including: acute stress disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, complex trauma, 24-7-365 trauma, and historical trauma. Emphasis will also be placed on the use of humor and centering rituals to prevent secondary PTSD.
Upon completion of this session, attendees will be able to:
- Be aware of the diagnostic criteria for five types of traumatic stress disorders.
- Be aware of the use of five evidence-based practices to address varieties of traumatic stress disorders at the core of heroin addiction, criminality and self harming behavior.
- Be aware of research on the effective use of humor to reduce the risk of secondary PTSD.
Saturday, March 11, 2017 | 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm
In this deep dive session, Gary D. Hees will discuss the origins and phases of treatment with Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EDMR), the advantages of combining EMDR with mindfulness, and proven applications of EMDR addressing issues other than trauma. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in experiential exercises and should feel free to share their stories of practice and applications in various areas for the benefit of all.
Upon completion of this session, attendees will be able to:
- Understand the EMDR protocol and process
- Understand the additive value of using mindfulness techniques with EMDR
- Understand multiple applications of EMDR for addressing non-trauma issues
