Schedule

1. Proof-of-Concept: Tailoring digital supports for pregnant women with Opioid Use Disorders

Phyllis Raynor, PhD, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP, APRN; University of South Carolina; Columbia, South Carolina

Thursday, 2:45pm - 3:10pm, Breakout: 34

Introduction: Digital technology can be leveraged to promote access to meaningful drug recovery support and parenting resources for pregnant people with opioid use disorders (OUD). Objective: Using a community engaged approach, researchers partnered with pregnant women with OUD to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a customized evidence-based digital support intervention. Methodology: An existing evidence-based smartphone application, eRecovery, was tailored to address the wellness needs in recovery (i.e., intellectual, emotional, and social) of pregnant women. Six pregnant women were recruited from a residential drug recovery facility and from an OB/GYN clinic in a Southeastern state. We used a pre-/post-test, one group, repeated-measures design to examine the feasibility of delivering meaningful supports through eRecovery. The participants provided information regarding satisfaction, usability, and level of perceived support and education. Results: Participants, aged 19-32, were recruited in Fall 2023. Half identified as Hispanic (n=2) or mixed race (n=1). Most participants were unmarried, unemployed, and making <$10,000. Drugs most used were opioids and methamphetamines. Participants reported high likeability and usefulness of eRecovery in providing support. Participants accessed both recovery and parenting information and identified meaningful support within eRecovery. All used eRecovery during the entire study period, and none were lost to follow-up. There were variations in technology use among participants, resulting in considerations for improving the initiation timeline for the intervention and strategies to enhance technology engagement. Implications: To examine the extent to which the use of eRecovery, a tailored evidence-based platform, can provide the level of support needed for pregnant women with OUD.

2. Beyond Checking the Box: Engagement & Capacity Building of Persons with Lived SUD Expertise in Research

Phyllis Raynor, PhD, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP, APRN; University of South Carolina; Columbia, South Carolina

Tuesday, 3:10pm - 3:35pm, Breakout: 2

There has been a significant increase in the engagement of researchers with persons with lived and living substance use disorder (SUD) experience, driven by a growing recognition of the invaluable insights and expertise these individuals bring to the research process. Additionally, some major funding bodies encourage or mandate the inclusion of persons with lived SUD experience in research. Our presentation explores innovative strategies for integrating individuals with lived/living experience into the research process meaningfully. This session will provide examples of methods to move beyond checking the box to genuine collaboration and co-production. Next, methods for capacity building using a case example from the EMPOWER project will be shared. The EMPOWER project, is a collaborative of persons with lived/living experience of substance use during pregnancy and researchers. A member of the EMPOWER project will share a curriculum developed by persons with lived/living experience designed to build the capacity of project members to collect and analyze research data. Additionally, we will discuss ethical considerations and recommended supports when engaging this population in research, particularly individuals with lived SUD expertise. Lessons learned from the P.A.R.E.N.T.S.S project will provide context for group discussion. The P.A.R.E.N.T.S.S project engages pregnant and parenting persons (PPP) with Opioid Use Disorders (OUD) in customizing a digital intervention to provide recovery and parenting supports for PPP with OUD. By the end of the presentation, attendees will have a deeper understanding of how to implement and benefit from authentic engagement and capacity building practices, leading to more impactful and inclusive research.

3. Clinical Insights on Kratom and Delta-8-THC: Case Study Analysis

Jason Gregg, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC; University of Cincinnati; Cincinnati, Ohio

Tuesday, 4:10pm - 4:35pm, Breakout: 8

The evolving landscape of substance use presents novel challenges for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), particularly with the emergence of Kratom and Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta-8-THC). This article examines the rising use of these substances, fueled by limited federal regulation and conflicting state laws, resulting in widespread accessibility and marketing towards vulnerable populations. Kratom, derived from the Mitragyna speciosa tree, contains psychoactive compounds such as mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, which exhibit opioid-like effects and interact with various neurotransmitter systems. Delta-8-THC, a cannabinoid derived from hemp or cannabis plants, offers milder psychoactive effects compared to Delta-9-THC but remains unregulated, raising significant safety concerns. Through a comprehensive review, this article highlights the pharmacological profiles, potential for abuse, and clinical implications of Kratom and Delta-8-THC. It also presents a case study illustrating the clinical complexities associated with these substances. The case study of Kris T., a 16-year-old gender nonconforming individual, underscores the dynamic nature of Kratom and Delta-8-THC use, highlighting issues such as dependence, withdrawal symptoms, and cognitive impairment. For APRNs, understanding the dual action and potential for abuse of Kratom and Delta-8-THC is critical. This article emphasizes the need for evidence-based screening, individualized treatment plans, and continuous monitoring. Additionally, it calls for healthcare providers to engage in advocacy efforts to promote regulation and ensure the safety and efficacy of these substances. By integrating clinical expertise with patient education and support, APRNs can effectively address the challenges posed by these emerging substances and contribute to the development of comprehensive treatment and regulatory frameworks.

4. Xylazine Wound Care and the Role of Nurses in Harm Reduction

Jennifer Foreman, DNP, APRN; University of North Carolina at Greensboro; Greensboro, North Carolina

Tuesday, 4:35pm - 5:00pm, Breakout: 8

Xylazine is prevalent in the drug supply across the US and in other countries. More and more wound care is needed to treat the prolonged wounds caused by the adulterant. Nurses are well poised to offer care to this community, but need additional training on caring for these specific wounds. In addition, harm reduction is imperative in order to promote the health of communities and prolong life to eventually enroll PWUD into treatment. Nurses play a pivotal role in harm reduction efforts world wide. We will explore the barriers to harm reduction, how nurses can advocate and participate in harm reduction efforts at a community and policy level.

5. Implementing Family-Based Interventions in Opioid Treatment Programs: Preferences for Method of Delivery

Khary Rigg, Ph.D.; University of South Florida; Tampa, Florida

Wednesday, 4:45pm - 5:10pm, Breakout: 23

Interventions for substance use disorders (SUDs) are typically delivered face-to-face or remotely via telehealth. In recent years, there has been a rapid rise in the number of SUD services delivered using telehealth. However, the literature on which mode of service delivery SUD patients and providers prefer is still emerging, particularly with respect to family-based interventions in Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs). This study sought to identify/explain preferences for delivering family-based programs among OTP patients and providers. Data collection from a total of 40 participants (20 patients and 20 providers) was conducted from August 2022 to October 2022 at two OTPs in Florida. An online survey was used to collect demographic data, while individual qualitative interviews were conducted to explore preferences for delivering family-based programs. Audiotapes of interviews were transcribed, coded, and thematically analyzed. Analyses revealed that patients and providers had similar preferences, with the most salient being (a) concerns about keeping children engaged during telehealth sessions, (b) concerns about communication barriers when using telehealth, (c) preference for telehealth using live video (as opposed to prerecorded content), and (d) preference for telehealth over face-to-face due to greater convenience for patients. These findings show that preferences for delivering family-based services are varied and may differ somewhat from preferences for delivering traditional individual therapy services. The data presented here can be used to develop and further refine protocols for adapting and delivering family-based interventions in OTP settings, and are especially timely as legislative discussions are currently occurring about expanding telehealth services in these facilities.

7. The Neurobiology of Addiction: Understanding the Science Behind Substance Use Disorders

Matthew Walters, MSN, RN-BC, FIAAN; BayMark Health Services; Tampa, Florida

Tuesday, 2:10pm - 2:35pm, Breakout: 1

The neurobiology of addiction delves into the intricate science underlying substance use disorders (SUDs), shedding light on how repeated exposure to addictive substances alters brain function and behavior. This abstract synthesizes current research on the neural mechanisms driving addiction, focusing on key brain regions and neurochemical systems involved. The mesolimbic dopamine system, particularly the nucleus accumbens and ventral tegmental area, plays a crucial role in the reward circuitry. Dysregulation contributes to the compulsive drug-seeking behavior characteristic of addiction. Neuroplastic changes in these areas are driven by chronic substance use and lead to maladaptive learning and memory processes. This reinforces addictive behaviors. The prefrontal cortex is responsible for executive functions such as decision-making and impulse control. This is significantly impacted. Impairments in this region further exacerbate the challenges associated with maintaining abstinence. The interaction between genetic predispositions and environmental factors also influences the susceptibility to addiction which highlights the role of epigenetics in shaping individual vulnerability. Advancements in neuroimaging and molecular biology have enhanced our understanding of these mechanisms, paving the way for more effective interventions. Emerging therapeutic strategies aim to target specific neurobiological pathways to restore balance and support recovery. By integrating knowledge from genetics, neurochemistry and behavioral science, researchers continue to move closer to developing personalized treatment approaches that address the complex interplay of factors underlying addiction. This comprehensive perspective is essential for advancing both prevention and treatment strategies for SUDs, ultimately aiming to reduce the global burden of addiction

12. Enhancement and Feasibility Testing of a Coach-interactive AI-driven Chatbot into a Smartphone-delivered App Intervention Designed to Reduce Hazardous Drinking and Cannabis Use among College Students

Donna Kazemi, RN, PhD, FIAAN; College of Nursing; Columbia, South Carolina

Wednesday, 5:40pm - 6:10pm, Breakout: Poster

Purpose: Adolescents and young adults (AYA) ages 12-25 have the highest rates of substance use compared to any other age group.1,2,3,4 Among AYA and new users, the probability of participating in simultaneous polysubstance use (SPU) is increasing.5 AYA who use alcohol, past-year concurrent use of marijuana (SAM), an estimated 43% use.5 In 2024, the World Health Organization reported that 2.6 million deaths each year were attributed to alcohol consumption.3 Despite risks such as death, rape, and violence, over the past 15 years, AYA College students’ (17-25 years) use of Alcohol and Cannabis has increased sharply.6,7 We enhanced our existing smartphone-delivered app MiREA-AC to include innovative AI-driven chatbot features. Objective: This study aims to determine the feasibility and acceptability of the adapted innovative AI-driven Coach Chatbot features that have been integrated into the Smartphone app MiREA-AC,.8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15 The app has a suite of features that include cannabis to enable effective communication and interactions enhanced through AI bot Coach and dashboard development. Methods Tasks will consist of a) finalizing the adapted MiREA-AC Coach AI bot dashboard with integrated MI content; b) conducting theater and field testing and focus groups on the new app with students (n=20) to obtain feedback on the feasibility, clarity, usability, and acceptability of the content, and c) to obtain data that will guide the final components of the AI Coach driven Chatbot feature integration within the MiREA-AC intervention; and c) final refining of our new intervention based on student feedback. Results: The project is in progress, with completion planned for November 15, 2024. The adapted MiREA-AC is designed to deliver enhanced user visual, auditory, and contextual experiences through a built-in UX/UI interface (e.g., Coach chatbot). We expect the integrated AI Coach AI-driven chatbot features app to be easy to use, have useful information, and positively affect SPU behavior.

14. A systematic review of the challenges experienced by General Nurses working within the addiction treatment services.

Samantha Makiwa, MSc Nursing, BSc Hons, MW, RGN, PgCert Addiction Studies, FFMNRCSI; Dublin Simon Community; Dublin, Ireland

Tuesday, 2:10pm - 3pm, Breakout: 2

Background: Studies have shown that the prevalence of drug and alcohol addiction as well misuse of substances has increased over the past few years. Consequently, addiction to these substances has detrimental effects on the physical and mental wellbeing of the affected individuals; hence they may require admission to an addiction treatment service. However, addiction nursing is a rare specialty. Hence, General Nurses (GN) are employed to work in most addiction treatment services. Methodology: An interpretative qualitative systematic review of seven studies was conducted using a meta-ethnographic approach to explore different sources of literature. An electronic search was conducted in databases such as CINHAL, Pub Med, Cochrane library and Pych-Info. The ENTREQ tool was incorporated to guide the systematic review then a thematic analysis was done. Results: degree of knowledge on addiction nursing, challenging behaviour by clients, physical and psychological work environment, stigma and nursing practice issues. Conclusion: This study examined a contemporary problem in the management of SUDs. Hence, it is relevant to all stakeholders in the addiction treatment sector including program developers and course leaders at nurse training institutions, leadership and management at addiction treatment services as well as nurses working within and outside the addiction services. Therefore, the findings form this study can be the starting point in the mitigation of the challenges experienced by nurses, thereby improving the retention of nurses and thus improving the quality of care at the addictions services. Recommendations: training institutions to develop a structured training program covering all aspects of caring for clients SUDs, comprehensive induction for new nurses to settle well into the job, policies, guidelines and procedures to protect the client, staff and the organisation, multidisciplinary collaboration, consistent clinical supervision and support , peer group meetings for staff to share their concerns and experiences help identify problems and interventions early.

15. Bridging Gaps in PrEP Awareness regarding SUD Treatment and Incarceration

Ronald Schnese, Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist; The LGBTQIA+ Center of Southern Nevada, President of State of Nevada Association of Addiction Professionals (NV chapter of NAADAC); Las Vegas, Nevada

Thursday, 1:45pm - 2:10pm, Breakout: 31

This proposal advocates for the integration of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) into post-substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and incarceration healthcare, emphasizing comprehensive education for healthcare providers. The focus on the heightened HIV risk within the SUD population, particularly among MSM engaged in chemsex or survival sex, underscores the need for targeted interventions. Despite national harm reduction efforts, achieving CDC PrEP goals remains challenging. This proposal addresses gaps in reaching vulnerable populations transitioning from SUD treatment or incarceration, proposing a local survey to assess awareness levels. Our local outreach efforts, including firsthand experiences in the Las Vegas tunnels hosting hundreds of unhoused people, highlight the urgency of this initiative. We will present our challenges as a case study, aiming to foster community involvement, enhance healthcare provider education, and facilitate direct patient access. Our goal is to establish a robust network dedicated to effectively reducing HIV transmission in this vulnerable population.

16. Opioid Use Disorder and Pregnancy: An Intervention for MOUD Providers with Pregnant Patients Using the ECHO® Model

Tanya Sorrell, PhD, PMHNP-BC, FAANP; Rush University Medical Center; Chicago, Illinois

Wednesday, 3:10pm - 3:35pm, Breakout: 17

Recently, the training requirements for receiving the X waiver to prescribe buprenorphine have been removed and a provider now needs only to apply to obtain the X waiver to begin treating up to 30 patients. While the removal of this barrier has been welcomed, addressing other barriers like the need for more education and training has been cited as having more impact on increasing treatment capacity. Rush University Medical Center has been offering Illinois providers additional education opportunities beyond the X-waiver through its Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) Treatment Fellowship ECHO® Program. Project ECHO® (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) is an evidenced based teaching model developed by University of New Mexico. Increases in prescribing capacity that result from additional education and training are important as they help address the significant unmet need of Americans living with OUD, where nearly 80% do not receive treatment. Additionally, despite the emerging evidence that MOUD is a necessary avenue particularly for pregnant individuals with an OUD, there are still many barriers that prevent them from gaining access to treatment. We have identified the need for continued learning opportunities about OUD treatment for Illinois healthcare teams in a non-fellowship OUD ECHO®. In particular, our graduated fellows have indicated that they would like to engage in additional learning opportunities for not only themselves, but also the support teams (i.e., social workers, peer recovery coaches, nurses, etc.) that work alongside them. To address this need, we developed the Perinatal OUD ECHO® Program in order to allow providers access to networks of providers in their field, gain knowledge on the relationship between MOUD and pregnancy, and understand barriers created by stigma. This program aimed to assess if the Perinatal OUD ECHO® Program had an impact on increasing prescribing capacity for pregnant individuals while decreasing stigma for patients seeking care.

17. Evidence-based recommendations for integrating psychoactive substance education in undergraduate nursing curriculum

Caroline Figueira Pereira, PhD, MSN, BSN; School of Nursing at University of São Paulo; São Paulo, Brazil

Wednesday, 4:45pm - 5:10pm, Breakout: 22

Objective: To map the recommendations for education about psychoactive substances in undergraduate nursing programs. Methods: A scoping review was conducted according to the JBI. The review question was: What are the recommendations for integrating psychoactive substance education in undergraduate nursing curriculum. The search was performed across five databases. There was no limitation of year or language of publication. Results: Eighteen studies were included. The studies recommendations emphasize the education of complex issues related to the use, abuse, and dependence on substances, highlighting the need for curriculum evaluation and expansion to include substance use disorders. Additionally, recommendations include increasing the theoretical and practical education hours, expanding clinical internship opportunities, promoting creative education models, and publishing experiential studies to support educators in this field. Conclusions: There is an urgent need to revise and expand curricula to incorporate the topic of psychoactive substances as a central and cross-cutting theme throughout all disciplines.

18. Advocating for Change - How Increasing Nurse Practitioner Scope of Practice Has Improved Access to Care for Individuals with Substance Use Disorders in Ontario, Canada

Michelle Acorn, DNP, NP PHC/Adult, FCAN, FAAN, FFNMRCSI, FQNI; Nurse Practitioner Association of Ontario; Toronto, Canada

Thursday, 10:00am - 10:25am, Breakout: 26

Advocacy is a fundamental competency and value for nurses. After years of political advocacy by the Nurse Practitioner Association of Ontario (NPAO), Ontario’s Nursing Act was amended in 2017 to enable Nurse Practitioner (NPs) to prescribe controlled substances. In 2018, the Government of Canada made changes to the Controlled Drug and Substances Act (CDSA) giving NPs the authority to prescribe and administer methadone without an exemption. NPs also gained the authority to prescribe diacetylmorphine.This scope enablement eliminated a significant barrier to practice for NPs providing care for individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) and led to many clinical advancements to improve access to care. NPs are now able to treat all substance use disorders and prescribe all forms of opiate agonist therapies. NPs are also able to act as most responsible providers (MRPs) for patients in various clinical settings across the health system. NPAO also advocates for increased funding opportunities for NPs. In Ontario, NPs are often salaried employees and cannot directly bill the government for their services. A significant positive outcome of ongoing promotion of the value of NPs was the Ontario government’s decision to provide 4 million dollars of funding for dozens of NP roles in Withdrawal Management Services and Residential Treatment programs throughout the province; along with dozens of roles in Rapid Access Addiction Medicine Clinics and Safer Opiate Supply programs. NPAO continues to support NPs in caring for patients with SUDs and their patients through continued activism and support of harm reduction programs such as safe injection sites and by providing media training opportunities to NPs. This presentation will review how ongoing advocacy by the NPAO has led to reduction of barriers to practice for NPs in Ontario, and subsequently, to improved access to quality, evidenced-based SUD care across the harm reduction spectrum, for all Ontarians.

20. Young HEROES- An outpatient program for youth with opioid use disorders (OUD): Case study with advocacy implications

Angela Nash, PhD, APRN, CPNP-PC, PMHS, CARN-AP, FIAAN; Center for Behavioral Emergency Addictions Research, University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHealth)-Houston; Houston, Texas

Wednesday, 4:45pm - 5:35pm, Breakout: 23

Background: Substance use by youth has reduced for most substances in the last decade1,2 but drug overdose deaths have skyrocketed, ranking 3rd in the leading causes of death for adolescents.3,4,5 This trend is due to the availability and use of illicitly manufactured fentanyl. Medications for OUD (MOUD) combined with behavioral treatments are the standard of care for adolescents with OUD because they improve retention in treatment and psychosocial outcomes while reducing the risk of overdose. MOUD is recommended by the AAP, ASAM, and numerous other agencies.6,7 Yet only 1.6% of youth who survive an overdose receive MOUD.8 Multiple barriers exist that prevent youth from receiving the recommended treatments for OUD. Case Study: Young HEROES is a UTHealth Houston project designed to provide comprehensive free outpatient care for youth with OUD. Established in 2021 and based on the adult HEROES program (2018)9, Young HEROES accepts youth ages 13 to 19 with SUD. Patients receive assessments with ongoing MOUD (as needed) and care management by a nurse practitioner, drug counseling, and peer coaching with the goal of helping youth achieve sustained remission and improved quality of life. Despite these comprehensive services, the patients in Young HEROES face multiple access barriers to the full spectrum of evidence-based treatments. Many Young HEROES patients come from rural areas, where access to healthcare is already limited. Rural Healthy People 2023 ranked mental health and addiction as the top two priorities.9 Barriers and advocacy needs: This presentation will describe the Young HEROES model and discuss common barriers to the full spectrum of evidence-based care for youth. These include scant adolescent MOUD providers, stigma, residential treatment disallowing MOUD, lack of insurance for medications, and no adolescent recovery support. Finally, a list of advocacy efforts nurses must engage in to help this highly underserved population will be detailed.

21. Utilizing Academic Detailing to Increase Screening, Referral and Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder

Jennifer Key Foreman, DNP, AGNP-C, WHNP-BC; University of North Carolina at Greensboro; Greensboro, North Carolina

Wednesday, 5:40pm - 6:10pm, Breakout: Poster

Background: Opioid Use Disorder is a national epidemic that has killed over one million United States residents since 1999. Randolph County, North Carolina (NC) has a significantly higher rate of drug overdose and emergency department related visits than the NC state average. Primary care providers are well positioned to intervene and offer screening, referral, and treatment of opioid use disorder, yet this does not often occur. Objective: This quality improvement project serves as a pilot to evaluate the effectiveness of Academic Detailing (AD) to increase screening, referral, and treatment of opioid use disorder as well as to increase knowledge of community resources available. Methods: Face-to-face one-to-one academic detailing was provided to primary care providers. Content included an overview of the diagnosis, standardized screening tools, management, and community resources available for referral. Assessments pre and post were conducted to evaluate screening, referral and treatment practices, knowledge of available community resources, barriers to providing services, and satisfaction with the academic detailing event. Results: Academic Detailing did not result in change in frequency of screening or referral for treatment for OUD. None of the providers that participated in the intervention were prescribing buprenorphine prior to the event, nor were they after the event. Results indicated that there was an increase in the knowledge level of providers after AD with a change in median knowledge level from “I know about some resources in the area” to “I am very knowledgeable about area resources”. Barriers to screening, referral, and treatment were identified with lack of time being the most frequently cited. Conclusions: Academic Detailing did not increase screening, referral, or treatment of OUD in this pilot project. However, there was an increase in knowledge of community resources related to OUD. Academic Detailing is labor and time intensive and may be difficult to scale.

22. From classroom to community: Experiential learning in mental health nursing course

Archana Paul, RN, MScN, CCNE, CCSNE; York University; Toronto, Canada

Wednesday, 5:10pm - 5:35pm, Breakout: 22

Despite the availability of community resources, mental health service users continue to face several barriers that hinder their access to appropriate services. These barriers may include concerns about stigma and scarcity of information about available resources among healthcare professionals (Moroz et al., 2022). A quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test mixed method study will be utilized to meet the objectives. Quantitative data will be collected with a pre-learning and post-learning questionnaire. Additionally, qualitative data will be collected through focus groups to gain a deeper understanding of the experiential learning process and its impact on their learning outcomes. Students will also share their experience and reflect on their findings via classroom presentations. The outcomes of this study will not only contribute to the existing body of knowledge on mental health service delivery but also help bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. The students will be actively involved in assessing the mental health promotion needs of clients and engage in evidence-informed interventions to support clients in seeking out resources in the community that promote health. As future nurses, the students will become better equipped to provide critical support to individuals seeking mental health services.

23. Chemical Dependency: A Reactive Response

Kelli Zenner, MBA, MSW, LCSW; Barnes Jewish-Hospital; Saint Louis, Missouri

Thursday, 2:10pm - 2:35pm, Breakout: 32

Barnes-Jewish Hospital (BJH) continues to meet the guidelines and stipulations of a level 1 trauma center. The guidelines state that physical trauma correlates with mental health and chemical dependency. The presence of prominent mental health issues and chemical dependency relate to readmissions and high utilization of hospital services. Reallocating resources is necessary to pursue evidence-based practices as established in the guidelines. Throughout 2024, BJH has been able to reallocate resources for two chemical dependency social workers (CD SW) to provide interventions to patients. As a direct impact of the reallocation of the CD SW positions, we have been able to successfully coordinate direct admissions to inpatient chemical dependency treatment. Additionally, the CD SWs provide their contact numbers to allow for ongoing support to patients who have outpatient recovery needs post-discharge. Endorsement was gained by Washington University Physicians to create a workgroup with the goal of initiating an Addiction Medicine Consult Service that will provide robust multidisciplinary care. As a result of the workgroup, information was shared among the 14 BJC Hospitals and a CD SW System Committee was formed to broaden community scope and engage key stakeholders. This includes micro level changes, such as requesting funding for an Addiction Medicine Consult Service from BJH Foundation, and macro level changes, including the push for the supportive legislation and funding needed to serve the chemical-dependent population in a way that promotes their integrity, dignity, and worth of their person.

24. Fentanyl-Xylazine Withdrawal Management Protocol: Utilizing a 3.7 ASAM Level of Care, Medically Monitored High-Intensity Inpatient Service

Camille Zalar, MHA, BSN, RN, CARN, FIAAN; Glenbeigh, Ashtabula Regional Medical Center, affiliate of the Cleveland Clinic; Rock Creek, Ohio

Wednesday, 4:10pm - 4:35pm, Breakout: 19

Fentanyl has fueled the opioid epidemic for over a decade in the U.S. and 2019 Xylazine started to show up in illicit drug supplies in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Eastern region of the U.S. In April of 2023, the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) invited this nurse, representing one of DDAPs preferred providers, Glenbeigh, to pair up with another provider, North Philadelphia Hospital (NPH) to share best practices in addiction treatment. During the sessions that would follow, this nurse learned from NPH of the emergence of Xylazine in Philadelphia, 415 miles east of Glenbeigh that is in Rock Creek, Ohio. Our treatment hospital had not yet heard of Xylazine. The sharing of this information led this nurse to investigate and share findings with the hospital medical team which led to a xylazine IRB research study, The study guided evidence-based screening, diagnosing, and treating Xylazine withdrawal in an inpatient 3.7 ASAM level of care withdrawal management unit.

26. Quality Improvement Project (QI) to Implement Annual Depression Screening Using Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) and Referral to Treatment in Urban Opioid Use Disorder Clinic

Rachel Silk, RN, BSN, MPH; University of Maryland School of Nursing; Baltimore, Maryland

Wednesday, 5:40pm - 6:10pm, Breakout: Poster

Problem: Over 21.5 million Americans experience co-occurring substance use disorder (SUD) and mental illness. Patients with SUD often have untreated mental illnesses such as depression that lead to poor treatment outcomes, increased risk of death, and increased health care costs. At an adult opioid use disorder (OUD) clinic in Washington, DC there is no regular depression screening despite a survey showing 63.9% of respondents met depression criteria. The QI project aim is implementation of annual depression screening using Patient PHQ-9 and referral to treatment among patients with OUD receiving buprenorphine. Sixty patients are expected to be reached during the QI project period. Evidence: Review of literature found four studies providing reliable evidence of a high prevalence of co-occurring SUD and mental illness with low treatment rates. Three systematic reviews provided reliable and consistent evidence to support depression screening using the PHQ-9 in adult primary care clinics. Implementation Strategies: QI project utilized Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change Strategies: accountability, communication, major structure change, data, and education. Such as (1) modification of medical record to include PHQ-9 and referral documentation; (2) prominent placement in health record and schedule as provider reminder; (3) training of three nurse practitioners on screening/referring/completing the PHQ-9 form; (4) implementation of “PHQ-9 Screening and Depression Policy” by clinic director; (5) education/training provided to clinic staff on workflow and provider role change; (6) weekly chart audits with routine provider feedback. Evaluation: Among 24 eligible patients seen to date, 89.9% were assessed with the PHQ-9. Twenty-five percent met criteria for depression, of whom 100% had a documented treatment plan/referral. The project is actively in progress with completion in December 2024. Lessons Learned: Depression screening in an OUD clinic is feasible. Preliminary practice implications include the importance of clinic provider buy-in; built-in medical record and scheduling reminders, and regular performance feedback.

27. CARE-EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY FOR WOMEN PSYCHOACTIVE CONSUMERS

MARIA DO PERPÉTUO SOCORRO SOUSA NÓBREGA, Postgraduate Program in Nursing.; School of Nursing, University of São Paulo; Sao Paulo, Brazil

Wednesday, 5:40pm - 6:10pm, Breakout: Poster

Objective: Build and validate the content of a Care-Educational Technology for women who consume psychoactive substances. Method: Methodological study with scoping review; elaboration of generating themes on social, cultural, economic, psychological and biological contexts related to consumption; formulation of the game's base tool and usage dynamics based on usability heuristics; content validation with 16 experts, in two rounds, with a minimum validation value of 0.8. The four evaluation categories were: Provides reflection on the topic, Relevant topic, Understandable information, Appropriate letter phrase. Study approved by the Research Ethics Committee. Results: To achieve reflection, education and information, the letters were formulated in reflective (affirmative sentences with brief text to support the game, without requiring judgment on right or wrong answers, since they are about the players' experiences and perceptions) and educational (players say how much they know about the subject and can receive useful information). An Instruction Booklet was created with a section to present the justifications and comments. In the 47 letters, the agreement was 100%. Conclusion: It is expected that the content of the ECT will provide women with the possibility of receiving more targeted care as an alternative to standard treatment, which generally tends not to address marginalized issues due to abstinence/reduction of consumption, in addition to provoking reflections and the development of critical thinking, highlighting them as protagonists of their existential and social process.

28. Changing the conversation: Harm reduction and adolescent substance use care

Emily Hennessy, MPhil (Health Promotion); PhD; Harvard Medical School; Massachusetts General Hospital; Boston, Massachusetts

Wednesday, 2:45pm - 3:10pm, Breakout: 16

Harm reduction is a term now widely used in research and practice related to substance use treatment and recovery, but oftentimes it is unclear how harm reduction may translate to adolescent populations where there are a host of additional legal and other implications. Adolescents often initiate alcohol or other drug use more frequently than adults, facing barriers to treatment and often returning to substance use even after effective intervention. A harm reduction approach shows promise, especially considering adolescents' optimism bias (e.g., “bad things won’t happen to me”), resistance to traditional treatment methods, and difficulty accessing timely addiction care in the US healthcare system. Harm Reduction strategies differ from the traditional abstinence-focused approaches, which are often favored by schools, parents, and clinicians, but may be more successful in engaging adolescents in programming and reducing the incidence of drug-related fatalities. To strengthen intervention and treatment efforts, harm reduction for adolescent substance use should be part of a comprehensive continuum alongside primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention approaches. Aligning harm reduction philosophy and approaches with existing prevention and treatment paradigms enhances effectiveness and expands engagement among adolescents, contributing to more robust community health initiatives. In this presentation, participants will learn about what a harm reduction philosophy offers for adolescent intervention, treatment and recovery support, be provided with current research on harm reduction practices for adolescents and an examination of two organizational case studies, and learn harm reduction techniques that practitioners who work with adolescents could use.

29. Using Social Identity Mapping for Adolescent Substance Use Intervention and Building Recovery Capital

Emily Hennessy, MPhil, PhD; Harvard Medical School; Massachusetts Center Hospital; Boston, Massachusetts

Wednesday, 3:10pm - 3:35pm, Breakout: 16

This presentation will discuss the research on the importance of social recovery capital for youth substance use prevention and recovery, discuss the process of social identity change during substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery, including how programming can be a direct influence on this change, and describe how one novel, visual approach, Social Identity Mapping can be used to measure and reflect with an adolescent on their immediate social influences in an intervention or treatment setting. The presentation on Social Identity Mapping will include a presentation of how to conduct this approach. Results from two studies with youth in various stages of addiction treatment and recovery will be presented to highlight the different ways that the SIM approach can be implemented. The empirical and theoretical knowledge gained from this session will be related to social identity and social influence and how this dynamically interacts with youth treatment and recovery processes over time. The practical knowledge gained will be to understand what Social Identity Mapping is, and how it can be used as a visual tool, along with targeted reflection questions, to enable youth reflection and increase nurse-youth engagement and connection.

30. Considerations for Families: Children of Parents with Substance Use Disorders being Raised by Grandparents

Brandy Mechling, PhD, APRN, PMHCNS-BC, FNAP; University of North Carolina Wilmington; Wilmington, North Carolina

Wednesday, 10:10am - 11:00am, Breakout: 12

Substance use disorders in adults continue to rise. Many of these adults are parents and become unable to care for their children. As parents enter treatment, may be incarcerated, or overdose, children are placed in foster or kinship care. Often times, the grandparents take over raising the children. The occurrence of children being raised solely by their grandparents has risen nearly 40% in the last five years. These families, especially the children, are a vulnerable population with unique needs. Nurses and other health professionals should be cognizant of these needs and best practices in working with the children, grandparents, and parents. The collective goal should be to help support these families and foster better outcomes for the child. The purpose of this presentation is to examine the needs, outcomes, and nurse’s role in a variety of settings when working with these families.

31. Walking towards Recovery - Implementation of a Mobile Addiction Team Led Walking Group at South Coast Wellness

Kelly Kokus, DNP, NP-PHC, FNP-BC, MScN, BScN(Hons), FIAAN; South Coast Wellness; Simcoe, Canada

Wednesday, 10:10am - 10:35am, Breakout: 11

South Coast Wellness (SCW) is a community-based addiction and mental health organization providing services to residents of Haldimand and Norfolk Counties in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. The Addiction Mobile Outreach Team (AMOT) is a program that began in 2018 that was developed to provide support for individuals struggling with mental health and addictions who may struggle to access community supports due to the large size and rural nature of the two counties. The AMOT team is made up counsellors, peer support workers and a nurse practitioner. The team strives to provide various treatment options and supports for the individuals whom it serves. Exercise is well documented in the literature to have many physical and psychological benefits. It can also be utilized as a healthy coping skill and strategy for improving mental health and overall wellbeing1. Although the community has several recovery focused groups, none involve physical activity. Therefore, as a means of providing holistic and alternative approaches to treatment and recovery groups, the team developed a walking group in the fall of 2024. Individuals were able to self-refer and could walk once a week with AMOT team members along various trails within the community. Various forms were utilized to collect data including the Health Survey Short Form 12-Item Questionnaire Version 2, pre and post program questionnaires and the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q). The walking group aimed to provide individuals with a safe and inclusive space to work towards recovery while also completing an activity that will improve their mental and physical health while getting the chance to meet other individuals in the recovery process2. Further research into group-based exercise programs in outpatient community mental health and addictions clinical settings is needed.

32. Everything old is new again: Droperidol use in the emergency department for patients with opioid withdrawal.

Wendy Williams Gilbert, PhD, RN, CARN; Multicare Deaconess; Spokane, Washington

Thursday, 3:10pm - 3:35pm, Breakout: 35

Droperidol is a medication that was prescribed to patients for nausea and vomiting but was pulled off the market in the early 2000's. Recently this medication has made a comeback primarily in emergency departments. From 2022-2024 on healthcare system administered the medication 14,000 times. With the re-emergence of droperidol as a safe and effective medication more emergency departments are adding it to their formularies. This retrospective chart review was conducted to explore if this medication was administered to patients with a primary diagnosis of opioid use disorder for nausea, anxiety and agitation. If this was prescribed to the patients was their documented reduction in withdrawal symptoms. This current review in process hopes to find that one medication can relieve multiple symptoms of withdrawal, thus providing better care for patients.

33. Second Hand Fentanyl Exposure: Just the Facts

Wendy Williams Gilbert, PhD, RN, CARN; Multicare Deaconess/University of Washington; Spokane, Washington

Wednesday, 3:45pm - 4:10pm, Breakout: 19

Misinformation and inconsistent information regarding fentanyl exposure have resulted in confusion for the healthcare workforce, specifically providers working in an inpatient setting. The risk of accidental “secondhand exposure” to fentanyl smoke, power or residue in a healthcare setting is extremely unlikely to cause an overdose. A recent study showed that fentanyl use in public places such as buses or trains does not produce enough contamination in the air to cause an overdose. In addition, there are no reported cases of secondhand smoke causing negative health effects. This presentation discusses the creation of targeted education launched throughout Washington State to help decrease the stigma, bias and false information regarding secondhand fentanyl exposure.

34. Effectiveness of electronically-Brief Intervention delivered by nurses by telephone for Women with Harmful Alcohol Consumption: Randomized Controlled Trial

Ana Vitoria Correa Lima; School of Nursing of University of São Paulo; São paulo, Brazil

Thursday, 11:25am - 11:50am, Breakout: 28

Introduction: Women have been increasing their alcohol consumption over the years and nurses are in an important position to bring individuals closer to the therapeutic process by delivering remotaly the Brief Intervention (BI). However, there are few studies that address BI performed remotely by nurses for women with alcohol use risky or harmful. Objective: to evaluate the effectiveness of the electronically-Brief Intervention by telephone delivered by nurses to women with risky or harmful alcohol consumption in Primary Health Care units. Method: randomized controlled trial (RCT). The inclusion criteria were: women aged 18 years or older who were engaging in risky or harmful alcohol consumption, speaking Portuguese enough to understand the interviewer's questions, obtaining AUDIT-C scores above 3. Women with current diagnosis of alcohol dependence and was pregnant or breastfeeding were excluded. Participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the control group using a computer-generated randomization sequence. The allocation was concealed from the participants. The intervention group received a brief intervention conducted by trained nurses via phone and follow-up calls at 3, 6 and 12 months post-intervention to assess progress. The control group received only feedback on their their consumption. Statistical analyses was performed using Linear Mixed Model. Results: The study took place between January and December 2023. A sample of 1132 primary health care women were assessed for eligibility; 151 met the inclusion criterion, 79 (n=79) Intervention group , 72 (n=72) Control group. A significant intercept (χ² = 425.67, p < 0.001), indicating a strong baseline effect on the outcome of the Intervention group. Conclusion: while the intervention group did not show immediate differences at baseline, the outcomes evolved significantly over time, with varying responses to the intervention. Further exploration of these dynamics could provide valuable insights into effective strategies for reducing alcohol consumption among women.

35. Nothing About Us Without Us: Enhancing Nurse Monitoring Programs by Centering Lived Experience within Inclusive Policy Reform

Rachel Shuster, BSN, RN, CARN, CAAP, FIAAN; Highmark Inc.; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Tuesday, 3:35pm - 4:00pm, Breakout: 5

In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, inclusivity, education, and advocacy are paramount, especially when addressing the needs of healthcare professionals in recovery. This presentation aims to shed light on the often-overlooked experiences of nurses in long-term sustained recovery from substance use disorders, particularly in the context of nurse monitoring programs. Co-presenters Rachel Shuster and Samantha Hartle will provide personal testimony on their respective journeys through these programs, offering insight into both the challenges faced and the triumphs achieved. Following the brief personal testimonies, the presentation will examine the current state of nurse monitoring programs, inclusive of both disciplinary and alternative-to-disciplinary (ATD) models and will highlight the need for reform. With 45 out of 59 nursing regulatory bodies offering ATD programs, there remains a significant opportunity to enhance these systems by integrating lived experience into their design and governance. We will discuss the need for evidence-based interventions that promote non-punitive, supportive pathways, reduce financial burdens, and ensure that all nurses, regardless of their recovery pathway, receive equitable treatment. Furthermore, the presentation will advocate for policy changes that limit behavioral health screening to current challenges, eliminate invasive monitoring practices, and standardize best practices across all license types. By including nurses in recovery in program governance and decision-making, we can create more inclusive and effective monitoring programs that truly support sustained recovery. This session will provide attendees with actionable strategies to advocate for and implement these changes, ensuring that the voices of those most affected by these programs are heard and respected.

36. Building a statewide interdisciplinary protocol for coordinating care for patients with opioid use disorder.

Wendy Williams Gilbert, PhD, RN, CARN; Multicare Deaconess/University of Washington; Spokane, Washington

Thursday, 10:00am - 10:50am, Breakout: 27

Many clinicians have heard differing information regarding initiating medications for oud. In partnership with the Washington State Healthcare Authority an interdisciplinary group was formed to build protocols that provide healthcare workers with the information they need to better understand drug use, reduce stigma and take ownership of treating opioid use disorder (OUD) effectively. These protocols and materials were created by public health and professional organizations across the state to meet the needs of both rural and urban individuals. These protocols were published on a statewide website where any healthcare provider can learn about medications for OUD, nursing considerations and how to reduce stigma in their clinical practice. This presentation will describe how the work was conducted using experts and and case study of how one hospital used these protocols to revise their opioid use disorder order set in epic.

38. Improving Post-Hospital Patient Navigation in Integrated Methadone-Primary Care Setting

Corinne Borel, BSN RN; University of Maryland, School of Nursing, Baltimore; Baltimore, Maryland

Wednesday, 5:40pm - 6:10pm, Breakout: Poster

Practice Problem: People with substance use disorders (PSUD) often represent a high-need, high (acute care) use (HNHU) population requiring adaptive approaches to facilitate transition of care services. In a large, urban methadone clinic integrating primary care, a retrospective analysis found 23% of clinic patients were high Emergency Department (ED) users (4 or more ED visits per year) and 17% were extreme high ED (10 or more visits per year). High ED users had fewer on-site outpatient visits than non-high ED users: 1.44 versus 1.88. Literature indicates that 1) there is evidence that patient navigation reduces ED visits and hospitalizations 2) nurses prefer a standardized communication tool which reduces errors and is best done electronically. Evidence also indicates that a real-time locating system (RTLS) in healthcare settings is perceived by staff to reduce workload and increase productivity. Methods and Interventions: This project assesses the feasibility of a practice change using real-time staff communication alerts on a designated electronic communication channel for a real-time location system (RTLS) of post ED/HA patients in the building. The alerts enable concurrent methadone dose verification and nurse triage while facilitating interdisciplinary care coordination and patient tracking for immediate or future-scheduled transition of care services. Health Home care coordination is integrated into the patient tracking process. Preliminary Results: The process will examine outcomes of feasibility and acceptability of the alert system to care team members and patients. The project will assess number of patients with completed nurse triage visits, and transitions of care appointments completed or scheduled over 14 weeks. Preliminary Conclusions: Use of technology-enabled real-time alerts can enhance nurse-driven process of identifying and engaging post discharge HNHU patients in outpatient transition of care services allowing tracking of patient flow, navigation, timely care and patient outcomes.

40. “Is that my dog I hear?”: A Case Report of Alcoholic Hallucinosis on the Inpatient Psychiatric Unit

Lea Nelligan, BSN, RN; Massachusetts General Hospital; Boston, Massachusetts

Wednesday, 10:35am - 11:00am, Breakout: 10

Alcoholic hallucinosis is a rare psychotic disorder that occurs in the context of alcohol withdrawal and is clinically distinct from delirium tremens. It is often characterized by dialogic auditory hallucinations that transition from neutrality to cynical as hallucinosis advances. Here we present a case of alcoholic hallucinosis in a 33-year-old single black female admitted with unspecified psychosis to the inpatient psychiatric unit at an academic medical center. Ms. O was brought in by police to the emergency room after her mother called for a wellness check. Blood alcohol level on arrival was 400 in the context of prolonged, heavy drinking, and urine toxicology positive for benzodiazepines. Initial rule outs included worsening alcohol use disorder, adjustment disorder, prolonged grief, and depressive episode. On admission to psychiatry (hospital day 5), Ms. O was continued on a modified alcohol withdrawal protocol, with CIWA-Ar scores elevated namely due to auditory and visual hallucinations of her dog and mother. The protocol was discontinued considering only mild autonomic hyperactivity; the patient had progressed to delirium tremens by the end of the day with disorientation, tremor, and frank agitation. Nursing advocated for re-instating the CIWA-Ar protocol and additional benzodiazepine dosing and prevented further morbidity. Despite the long-documented history of alcoholic hallucinosis, literature on the condition is limited, leading to a knowledge gap for nurses. The case was initially enigmatic, which led to delayed diagnosis and substandard management of withdrawal. Potential for bias, stigma regarding alcohol use, and “drug seeking behavior” may have played a role in the modified withdrawal protocol and preemptive discontinuation of the CIWA-Ar. Nurses are particularly well situated to identify signs of this clinical phenomenon, and advocate for adequate treatment. Implicit and confirmation bias are always present in the clinical assessment, care should be taken to critically consider this and challenge one’s own biases.

41. How an inpatient stay leads to reachable moments: Hospital-based Contingency Management for Patients with Stimulant Use Disorder

Kathleen Young, BSN, RN, CARN; Oregon Health & Science University; Portland, Oregon

Thursday, 2:45pm - 3:10pm, Breakout: 35

Background Hospitalizations and deaths related to stimulant use disorder (StUD) are rising rapidly. Contingency management (CM) uses positive rewards to incentivize behaviors and is the most effective treatment for StUD. CM has the potential to support hospitalized patients with StUD. Objective Evaluate feasibility and acceptability of a novel hospital-based mobile app CM program for patients with StUD. Methods We implemented a mobile app-based CM program by adapting an existing program to the hospital. We recruited hospitalized patients with moderate to severe StUD and either an expected hospital length of stay >2 weeks or a diagnosis of heart failure. Patients received gift cards for participating in CM-incentivized activities, including counseling, drug testing, and recovery-oriented reflections through the mobile app. Patients could participate for 2 months (including after hospital discharge), earning up to $330. A nurse supported implementation—troubleshooting technological issues and educating patients/staff. We collected program engagement data (app usage, rewards earned) and conducted qualitative interviews on patients’ CM experience. Results From August 2022- February 2024, 82 patients met inclusion criteria. 37 consented and completed intake. 28 (76%) had severe StUD and 26 (68%) had a co-occurring opioid use disorder. Engagement varied—the top quartile engaged 8.2 average weeks with $142.96 average earnings, and the bottom quartile engaged 2.9 average weeks with $5.92 average earnings. Highly engaged participants felt the “positivity” of CM helped them stay “focused” and “motivated,” and liked the convenience of a mobile app. Participants appreciated starting CM in the hospital and felt it helped them focus on “self-care” and learn recovery tools instead of being “bored” or stressed in the hospital. Post-discharge barriers included competing priorities (e.g. lack of housing, medical appointments) and technological challenges. Conclusions A novel hospital-based mobile app CM program helped patients with StUD cope with hospitalization and supported recovery goals, although program engagement varied widely.

42. Incorporating Treatment for Tobacco Use Disorder in Addiction Medicine

Jennifer Foreman, DNP, AGNP-C, WHNP-BC; University of North Carolina at Greensboro; Asheboro, North Carolina

Wednesday, 11:35am - 12:00pm, Breakout: 13

Nicotine replacement therapy is imperative to reduce morbidity and mortality. Patients with other substance use disorders are at higher risk of tobacco use disorder. In this short presentation, we will review the ASAM guidelines and clinical recommendations for treatment of nicotine replacement therapy and inclusion into addiction medicine.

43. Using Virtual Simulation to Enhance Interprofessional Training: An Application of the Zero Overdose Screening and Safety Planning Tool

Roman Salwa, LCSW; Adelphi University; Garden City, New York

Thursday, 2:10pm - 2:35pm, Breakout: 31

Background: Opioids are a significant contributor to drug overdose deaths globally. Current responses include the use of naloxone to reverse an overdose when it is occurring, however Zero Overdose Safety Planning can be used as a mechanism to prevent the overdose before it occurs. Grounded in harm reduction principles, clinicians can use overdose safety planning, as an innovative preventative solution to the drug overdose epidemic. The purpose of this virtual simulation was to train interprofessional student teams to assess opioid overdose risk and intervene using Overdose Risk Screening tool and the Overdose Safety Plan. Additionally, interprofessional student teams competency in using Overdose Risk Screening tool and Overdose Safety Plan was assessed. Sample: A total of 54 students participated in this virtual simulation: 24 psychiatric nurse practitioners and 30 social workers. Methods: The faculty developed a student competency assessment tool, and implemented post-simulation with interprofessional student teams, faculty observers and simulation actors for triangulation of results. Results: Students rated themselves higher than faculty observers and simulation actors across all competencies. This pilot showed that it is helpful to have multiple evaluation perspectives as a student self-assessment may not be indicative of competency mastery. Conclusions: More in depth education on harm reduction and opportunities for student practice with the overdose safety plan is needed when providing overdose prevention education.

44. The Role of a Nurse Practitioner in Collaborative Care on an Interdisciplinary Addictions Outreach Team

Kelly Kokus, DNP, NP-PHC, FNP-BC, MScN, BScN(Hons), FIAAN; South Coast Wellness; Simcoe, Canada

Thursday, 11:00am - 11:25am, Breakout: 29

In Ontario, Canada, Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are independent providers who can assess, diagnose and treat individuals with various conditions, including substance use disorders. While NPs can work alone, they are also valued members of interdisciplinary professional teams. Research has shown that in rural Canadian settings where access to physicians may be limited, NPs have been shown to provide high quality, evidenced based care that has led to the improvement of primary care access and reduction in the use of acute care services1. The Addiction Mobile Outreach Team (AMOT) at South Coast Wellness in Southwestern Ontario provides outreach addiction and primary care services to individuals struggling with their substance use. The team is mobile, meaning they can travel throughout the counties they serve to various locations to meet individuals in their preferred location and provide them with assessment, diagnosis, treatment and referrals as required. The NP plays an important role in the delivery of primary care and addictions services who otherwise may not have any access to the healthcare system, aside from their local emergency department. The NP, along with the other team members which includes counsellors and peer support workers can provide wrap-around addictions services as well as referrals to other organizations and speciality healthcare services as appropriate. Nurse Practitioners play an important role in providing access to marginalized populations in rural communities and are well suited to be part of interdisciplinary outreach teams.

45. Educating and Empowering Personal Support Workers to Care for Individuals With Substance Use Disorders in Ontario, Canada

Kelly Kokus, DNP, NP-PHC, FNP-BC, MScN, BScN(Hons), FIAAN; Fanshawe College; Simcoe, Canada

Wednesday, 10:35am - 11:00am, Breakout: 11

In Ontario, Canada, Personal Support Workers (PSWs) are valued members of interdisciplinary health care teams. While PSWs most commonly work in long term care facilities with elderly patients, PSWs are increasingly working in other areas including mental health and addictions clinical settings. In these settings, they are providing direct care to patients with substance use disorders (SUDs), such as in withdrawal management service programs and residential treatment programs. Fanshawe College is a community-based college with locations in multiple cities in Southwestern Ontario. It offers multiple healthcare programs including nursing and PSW. In 2020, a course on cognitive impairments and mental health was incorporated into the program as a mandatory course for PSW certificate completion. Substance use disorders are included in the curriculum’s content. Signs and symptoms, diagnostic criteria, common assessment findings and treatment options are all reviewed along with harm reduction strategies. This education empowers students and ensures they leave the program with the knowledge, skills and abilities to competently and safely care for individuals with SUDs.

48. Substance use in nurses: Facilitators in returning to work under a monitoring agreement

Jordan Ferris, RN, Ph.D.; Oregon Health and Science University; WEST LINN, Oregon

Tuesday, 3:10pm - 3:35pm, Breakout: 5

Background Substance use disorder (SUD) is a significant issue in the United States, affecting 17.3% of individuals aged 12 or older, including nurses who face unique occupational stressors. Nurses with SUD often enter monitoring agreements to return to work (RTW), which include strict conditions. While barriers to this process are well-documented, research on facilitators to success is limited. Methods This study utilized Group Concept Mapping (GCM) to identify and prioritize facilitators in the RTW process for nurses under monitoring agreements. Registered Nurses (RNs) with substance use-related licensure discipline were recruited via purposive sampling and professional networks. Participants generated statements based on researcher-developed prompts, then sorted and rated these statements on their perceived impact and helpfulness. Data were analyzed using multidimensional scaling and cluster analysis to determine key themes. Results Fourteen participants sorted 51 facilitator statements into six thematic clusters: Monitoring Recommendations, Autonomy and Self-Efficacy, Caring for the Caregivers/Prevention, Nurses Helping Nurses, Reintroduction to Practice, and Positive Employer Factors. Notable participant recommendations included phased reductions in monitoring requirements, supportive employer practices, peer support, and clear, ongoing guidance from occupational health services. Discussion The study emphasizes the critical role of structured monitoring programs, supportive work environments, and peer support systems in facilitating nurses' RTW after substance use discipline. Clear policies and consistent guidance from occupational health services provide a foundation for navigating the challenges of recovery. These findings underline the importance of creating environments that support both professional and personal growth for nurses recovering from SUD. Further research is needed to develop long-term strategies that continue to support these facilitators and ensure successful reintegration.

49. Nursing Process Approach to Pain Management for Women with Polysubstance Use

Derrick Glymph, PhD, DNAP, CRNA, CHSE, CNE, COL., USAR, FAANA, FAAN; Duke University Nurse Anesthesia Program; Durham, North Carolina

Wednesday, 11:10am - 12:00pm, Breakout: 15

This talk explores the complexities of pain management in women with polysubstance use, focusing on the intersection of chronic pain and mental health. Chronic pain affects one in five adults in the U.S., with women being particularly vulnerable due to unique gender-specific factors such as trauma, societal stigmas, and differences in pain perception. Women who misuse substances often experience compounded challenges in managing both pain and addiction. The nursing process—assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation—provides a structured approach to addressing these challenges in a patient-centered manner. A key emphasis is placed on the importance of an interdisciplinary and multimodal approach to achieve effective outcomes. This approach integrates medical, psychological, and social interventions tailored to the specific needs of women with polysubstance use. The discussion underscores the need for comprehensive multimodal interdisciplinary strategies that are essential to achieve effective patient outcomes for women that misuse substances.

50. Homeless population and drug use in Brazil: scoping review

Maria Regina Camargo Ferraz Souza, Msc; Pontificia Universidade Católica de São Paulo; Sorocaba, Brazil

Thursday, 11:00am - 11:25am, Breakout: 28

Background: Being on the streets, associated with substance use, increases the difficulty of access to basic services, common to the rest of the population, such as education, health, work, housing, leisure, safety, and others. Brazil does not systematically carry out an official count of the homeless population; consequently, the estimates depend on secondary data from the municipalities. In this sense, this review aims to analyze the scientific production published in 2009 on the profile of homeless people who use alcohol and other drugs. It seeks to identify how the studies are being conducted to characterize this group in Brazil and what are the characteristics of this population. Methodology: this is a scoping review conducted on articles published in the MEDLINE/PubMed, LILACS, Nursing Database (BDENF), and, Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) databases. Gray literature was selected via Google Scholar. We included complete studies, available online, published from 2009, in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. Results: Seven articles were selected and included for data extraction. The analysis of the productions showed the literature produced in the Southeast and South regions of Brazil, besides the growth in the number of publications from 2015. The homeless population mostly comprises men, the predominant color/race brown, and with incomplete primary education. Staying on the street is often motivated by family conflicts and substance use, the most used alcohol, tobacco, and crack. Conclusion: the study allowed the identification of important characteristics for constructing the profile of the homeless population with mental health problems arising from alcohol and other drugs. Although it is perceptible progress in the Brazilian technical-scientific production on the subject, it highlights the lack of studies directed to the Midwest and North regions of the country.

51. Pre-qualifying nursing education and training in substance use and associated issues in Brazil : A representative national survey

Divane Vargas, PhD, MsN, BsN; São Paulo University -School of Nursing; São Paulo, Brazil

Wednesday, 11:35am - 12:00pm, Breakout: 14

Substance Use Disorders (SUD) are prevalent globally, affecting diverse populations. Approximately 108 million individuals have alcohol use disorders, and 57 million have drug use disorders. In the Americas, 8.2% of the population over 15 years old consumes alcohol. Despite the scale of issues linked to Psychoactive Substance Use (PSUs), healthcare professionals, including nurses, face challenges in recognizing, treating, and referring patients with these issues. Key factors contributing to this situation include a lack of training and limited knowledge, hindering effective nursing interventions worldwide. Objective: To identify how PSUs and SUD content are taught in prequalifying nursing programs in Brazil. Methodology: This descriptive study invited all 1,200 higher education institutions in Brazil offering pre-registration nursing courses to participate. A representative sample (n=405, 33.7%), answered the questionnaires. Results: Teaching about PSUs and associated health issues was reported in 89.9% of courses; among these, 23.9% included a specific nursing addiction program (average 25 hours). The average hours dedicated during the pre-registration nursing program were 13.4, primarily for psychiatric and mental health nursing (16.4 hours), followed by primary care (10 hours) and emergency care students (9.7 hours). Most PSUs and SUD-related content covered national public policies on alcohol and other drugs (75.3%), drug classification (68.2%), and biophysiology (77.6%). However, content providing specific tools for nursing was less prevalent: motivational interviewing (20%), harm reduction (58.8%), drug consumption patterns (29.7%), SBIRT (36.4%), and the association of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) with psychoactive substances (27%).Conclusion: Nursing curricula have not kept pace with the growing public health crises and the expanding evidence base for treatments. The average time allocated to teaching substance use during all prequalifying training is limited, and the content is not focused on nursing care approaches. This contributes to learners not achieving the competencies they need to care for people experiencing SUD conditions.

52. Breaking Barriers: The Importance of Syringe Decriminalization in Advancing Public Health Initiatives

Madeleine Lepore, DNP PMHNP-BC; University of Pittsburgh; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Tuesday, 2:10pm - 3:00pm, Breakout: 3

Harm reduction is a compassionate approach to substance use that aims to reduce the health risks associated with drug use while respecting the autonomy of people who use drugs (PWUD). Syringe service programs (SSPs) are a proven harm reduction method that provide sterile syringes, wound care, bloodborne disease testing, naloxone training, and referrals to treatment. While SSP data have exemplified their benefit in reducing morbidity and mortality related to substance use, their availability remains limited in rural areas due to restrictive state policies. This study examines the data from a SSP operating legally in Southwestern Pennsylvania from 2017 to 2019 to assess syringe distribution, service utilization, and the distance participants traveled to access services offered at a SSP. Data from 8,632 visits were analyzed, revealing that 1.66 million syringes were distributed during the study period. Of the participants, 3.31% accessed wound care, 2.98% underwent bloodborne disease testing, 22.22% participated in naloxone training, and 0.27% requested referrals for substance use treatment. Most participants were from Allegheny County, where the SSP is located, but 518 visits were made by individuals from other Pennsylvania counties. Rural participants traveled an average of 73 miles to access services, with the total distance traveled exceeding 38,000 miles. Due to state laws criminalizing syringe possession, limited access to harm reduction resources in rural Pennsylvania persists, where drug use disproportionately affects residents. These results highlight the benefits of harm reduction strategies on public health outcomes and that rural PWUD are willing to travel far distances to access life-promoting resources. The results support the expansion of SSPs into rural communities. This can be accomplished through policy reform that decriminalize syringe possession or legalize SSP, allowing for widespread access to harm reduction services. Expanding SSPs could improve overall health outcomes and reduce morbidity and mortality in rural communities

54. Using Photovoice for Community Based Participatory Addictions Research in Rural Areas: Snapshots from the “Edge” of Recovery

Marissa Abram, PhD, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP, FIAAN; Duke University; Durham, North Carolina

Thursday, 2:45pm - 3:35pm, Breakout: 36

Photovoice is an innovative participatory research method that empowers community members to capture and reflect on their lived experiences through photography. This presentation discusses how Photovoice can be used a tool to conduct community-based participatory action research in the fields of substance use prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery. This presentation discusses the methodological considerations for implementing Photovoice, most importantly partnering with community key informants from project conceptualization to dissemination. It highlights the importance of building trust within the community and ensuring that participants have the necessary skills and resources to effectively use photography as a medium of expression. Strategies for project design, including participant recruitment, data collection processes, safety and ethical considerations, group facilitation, data analysis, and data dissemination will be reviewed. A particular focus will be on participant engagement in data analysis and dissemination that leads to social action and community driven change. Photovoice can be a transformative tool to ignite community participatory research and to understand the lived experiences of individuals with substance use in rural areas. By empowering individuals to share their stories and insights, Photovoice can contribute to more inclusive and sustainable community substance use prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery initiatives.

55. Outcome Evaluations of Motivational Interviewing Training with Simulations for Graduate Students to Address Substance Use Disorder

Yu-Ping Chang, PhD, RN, FGSA, FAAN, FIAAN; University at Buffalo, The State University of New York; Buffalo, New York

Wednesday, 5:40pm - 6:10pm, Breakout: Poster

Background: Substance use disorder (SUD) in the United States has escalated to epidemic proportions, presenting a significant challenge for healthcare providers. Motivational Interviewing (MI), a patient-centered counseling approach, has proven effective in reducing substance use. However, many graduate students in the behavioral health field have not received adequate MI training in their programs. Standardized patient (SP) simulation, an educational tool that is gaining popularity, has shown success in enhancing clinical knowledge and skills. This study aimed to evaluate outcomes of a MI training using SP simulations on graduate students' learning outcomes. Methods: A one-group pretest-posttest design was used in this study. The MI training sessions combined didactic instruction, practical exercises, SP simulations, and debriefing sessions. Simulation actors with backgrounds in healthcare or acting participated in two-day training workshops, led by MI experts and the project team, to prepare for the simulation. Students completed a questionnaire survey before and after the training, followed by a focus group post-training. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and paired-t test, while qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. Results: A total of 94 graduate students from Nursing, Social Work, and Counseling participated in four MI training sessions over two academic semesters. Results demonstrated a significant positive impact on students’ MI knowledge, skills, and helping behaviors (p <0.001) following the training. Qualitative interviews further revealed that students highly valued the experience, with many expressing particular appreciation for the SP simulation, and noting this hands-on, interactive approach enhanced their learning and increased their confidence in applying MI techniques. Conclusions: Our results indicated that a MI training program using SP simulations can effectively enhance graduate students' knowledge and skills. This approach better equips them to address SUD and effectively promote behavior change among their patients. Incorporating MI training into graduate healthcare curricula should be strongly considered.

56. Unraveling the Fundamentals of Addiction

Jeffery Ramirez, PhD, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP, CNE, FANP, FAANP, FAAN; Gonzaga Unversity; Spokane, Washington

Tuesday, 6:10pm - 6:35pm, Breakout: 1

This presentation delves into the core aspects of addiction diagnosis and treatment options. Participants will embark on a learning journey beginning with defining and understanding key concepts of addictions including stigma. A review of the physiologica., psychological, and neurobiological addiction theories. An examination of evidence based screening tools that can be helpful to nurses and advanced practice nurses. The presentation will conclude with a discussed on evidenced treatments for alcohol, stimulant, and opioid use disorders that be started at the first point of contact with a provider. This will include understanding of the risks, side effects, and monitoring of the various medications.

57. Confronting the Opioid Crisis: Strategies for Treating Opioid Use Disorder

Kayla Cross, MSN, MA, ARNP, PMHNP-BC; Spokane, Washington

Wednesday, 3:45pm - 4:10pm, Breakout: 20

Join us for an insightful exploration into confronting the opioid crisis through effective treatment strategies foropioid use disorder (OUD) in any healthcare setting. This presentation will begin by identifying the contributingfactors of the opioid epidemic and discussing provider hesitancies in treating individuals with OUD. Participants willthen delve into evidence-based pharmacological treatments for OUD, gaining practical insights into theirmechanisms and application. Through interactive scenarios, attendees will apply treatment and harm reductionstrategies to develop personalized treatment plans for patients in their clinical setting. Finally, the session willempower participants to evaluate their practice environments and propose integration strategies for treatment caremodels that enhance patient outcomes.

58. Clearing the Path: Navigating OpioidDetoxification

Kayla Cross, MSN, MA, ARNP, PMHNP-BC; Spokane, Washington

Wednesday, 4:10pm - 4:35pm, Breakout: 20

Explore effective strategies for managing opioid use disorder (OUD) and navigating opioid withdrawal in this comprehensive presentation. Participants will gain insights into the diagnostic criteria for OUD, enabling accurate assessment and treatment planning. The session will delve into evidence-based approaches for managing opioid withdrawal, including identification and management of withdrawal symptoms. Enhancing their ability to manage patient care effectively and safely. Additionally, attendees will explore pharmacological treatment options for OUD, emphasizing their roles in supporting patients through detoxification and recovery. This session aims to equip healthcare professionals with practical tools and knowledge to enhance patient care in the outpatient primary care setting and improve patient outcomes in opioid addiction management.

59. To Weed or Not to Weed? Empowering Nursing Professionals with Critical Insights on Medical Cannabis

Axel Rodriguez Rosa, MD; Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center; Hershey, Pennsylvania

Tuesday, 3:10pm - 4:00pm, Breakout: 6

Title: To Weed or Not to Weed? Empowering Nursing Professionals with Critical Insights on Medical Cannabis Author: Axel Rodriguez Rosa, MD Abstract: With medical cannabis gaining traction in patient care, nursing professionals must adapt to new educational demands to support informed patient choices effectively. This presentation provides foundational insights into cannabis pharmacology, patient-centered care practices, and critical workplace and ethical considerations. Beginning with an introduction to the endocannabinoid system (ECS), participants will understand how cannabinoids like THC and CBD interact with ECS receptors, supporting symptom management for various conditions (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2017). Practical considerations on administration methods, dosing, and drug interactions will further equip nurses to educate patients safely and effectively (ANA, 2021). As legalization progresses, complex regulations challenge healthcare environments, particularly with drug testing, as nursing professionals using cannabis for medicinal purposes face potential legal and employment risks (Journal of Interprofessional Education & Practice, 2020). The discussion will emphasize nurses' role in promoting patient autonomy and the challenges of addressing disparities in cannabis access due to geographic and socio-economic factors. By equipping nurses with an evidence-based understanding of medical cannabis, this session aims to enhance patient education and advocacy while navigating ethical and legal responsibilities in healthcare settings. References 1. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2017). The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids: The Current State of Evidence and Recommendations for Research. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. 2. American Nurses Association. (2021). Position Statement on Therapeutic Use of Marijuana and Related Cannabinoids. Silver Spring, MD. 3. Journal of Interprofessional Education & Practice. (2020). Marijuana for Medical Use: Implications for Health Care Providers.

61. Community perspectives on addiction among immigrants and ethnic minorities in Saskatchewan, Canada

Geoffrey Maina, RN, PhD; University of Saskatchewan; Prince Albert, Canada

Thursday, 10:00am - 10:25am, Breakout: 25

Introduction: Canada has a significant substance use problem which includes a high per capita alcohol use. It also has the second-highest opiate prescription per capita of which 1/3 is diverted for non-medical purposes. In 2018, it became the second country in the world to legalize marijuana for recreational purposes. Newcomers arriving in Canada are often oblivious to the substance use landscape in Canada and the inherent immigration-related risks they face which can lead to initiating or worsening their substance use. These include acculturation stressors, ease of availability of psychoactive substances, cultural discontinuation, unrecognized trauma and socioeconomic deprivation. Methods: We utilized an exploratory qualitative research approach to engage immigrants in Regina, Saskatchewan to understand their perspectives on substance use among community members. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically. Results: Seventeen participants from diverse countries Somali, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Syria, Lebanon, Jamaica and India participated in the study. They acknowledged that although the substance use in their community varied intergenerationally with concerns expressed on youth. Three themes emerged from the analysis. • Theme 1: Substances of concern among immigrants: Alcohol, cigarettes (vaping) and marijuana were reported to be the main substances of concern for the immigrants. • Theme 2: Factors contributing to substance use among immigrants (low substance use literacy, parenting challenges, permissive environment, enabling government legislation and integrational issues) • Theme 3: The impact of substance use (social, economic, physical and communal) Discussion and conclusion: Participants expressed apprehension about the growing concern about substance use in their community and their helplessness to mitigate it. Opportunities to support immigrants mitigate substance use risks inherent in their community must include increasing knowledge on substance use literacy, intergenerational acculturation gaps, stigma reduction and the development of culturally accessible resources to increase uptake of existing services.

62. Breaking the Cycle: Compassionate Strategies for Alcohol Detox

Jeffery Ramirez, PhD., PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP, FNAP, FAANP, FAAN; Gonzaga University and VA Medical Center; Spokane, Washington

Wednesday, 10:10am - 10:35am, Breakout: 10

This presentation offers an in-depth exploration of alcohol withdrawal and treatment. Participants will learn how to identify the symptoms and stages of alcohol withdrawal, from mild to severe ensuring recognition of critical sigs in patients. The discussion will dive into the physiological and psychological process involved in alcohol withdrawal. Providing a comprehensive providing a comprehensive explaining of how these process impact the whole person. Participants will learn to use specific assessment tools and scales to evaluate the severity of withdrawals symptoms in patients. Practical demonstration and case studies will enhance this application. By the end of this presentation attendees will be equipped with the tools to provide compassionate and effective care enhancing their ability to support patients through safe alcohol withdrawal.

63. Construction and validation of a simulation scenario to addiction treatment in undergraduate education: a methodological study

Caroline Figueira Pereira, PhD, MSN, BSN; School of Nursing -University of São Paulo; São Paulo, Brazil

Tuesday, 4:10pm - 4:35pm, Breakout: 7

Objective: to build and validate a high-fidelity clinical simulation scenario on motivational interviewing in undergraduate nursing courses. Method: methodological study developed in three phases: 1) construction of the scenario and simulation content, 2) validation of the simulation scenario content, 3) scenario testing. The scenario was developed using the cognitive, affective and psychomotor domains. Validation of the simulation scenario was carried out by ten judges, eight of whom were female and two male. Results: The scenario's content validity index was 100 per cent in terms of structure and presentation, and relevance. 32 students took part in testing the scenario with the target audience and most of the students found the resources used by the teacher during the simulation useful, although they still don't feel they have a complete grasp of the subject. Conclusion: The scenario was highly accurate according to the judges and students. It can therefore serve as a facilitating tool for educators in training undergraduate nursing students using the motivational interviewing tool.

64. An Innovative Simulation Approach for Educating Healthcare Providers About Emergency Responsiveness in an Acute-care Detox Center

Angela Carrano, DNP, MSN, RN; Cornell Scott Hill Health Center, South Central Rehabilitation & University of Saint Joseph; New Haven/West Hartford, Connecticut

Tuesday, 4:35pm - 5:00pm, Breakout: 7

Background: According to the 2023 United States National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH): 48.5 million adolescent and adult (16.7%) Americans struggled with a substance use disorder in the past year. The CDC estimates that over 110,000 people in the United States died from drug overdose in 2022; almost 70% of these deaths were caused by fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. As life-threatening adverse effects of alcohol and drugs include seizures, chest pain, delirium, and cardiac arrest, it is urgent to educate healthcare providers about emergency responsiveness in acute care detox facilities. Purpose: This quality improvement presentation discusses an innovative approach to prepare the healthcare team to identify and respond to emergencies/code blue. The goal was to improve response times, build confidence with skills, reduce anxiety and fear, improve communication and teamwork to improve patient outcomes in detox emergency response. All healthcare staff at South Central Rehabilitation Center (SCRC) were trained under this new approach. Methods: The Jeffries Simulation Theory Framework (NLN date) utilized to develop this standardized patient simulation. Staff participated in simulation scenarios that included response to a patient seizure, experiencing chest pain, having an anaphylactic reaction, unresponsive, with no pulse. A post-simulation debriefing session was held to evaluate staff responses to the simulation experience, including knowledge, skills, response times, communication, and role during the code. Student performance was measured by post-drill assessment, post-code debriefing. Team Performance during Actual Codes was measured with every emergency response CSHHC-SCRC. Results: Analysis of Outcome measures, including response time, team leader identification/ delegation, prompt patient assessment, team communication, 911 call time, and skill performance demonstrated significant improvement in all areas in actual emergencies occurring over the past 12 months. Conclusions: Results of this simulation confirm that this type of approach to staff education enhances emergency preparedness in the acute-care detox environment.

65. The Relationship of Psychological Distress, Sleep Disturbance and Job Demand to Substance Use Problems (SUPs) Among Nurses

Soyeon Shim, MSN, RN; University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore; Baltimore, Maryland

Wednesday, 5:40pm - 6:10pm, Breakout: Poster

Problems/ Purpose: The prevalence of substance use disorders (SUDs) among nurses is comparable to that of the general population. Identifying and mitigating risk factors for SUDs in nurses is crucial to promote well-being and prevent negative consequences. Although poor sleep, psychological distress, and high job demands are linked to SUDs, little is known about specific risk factors for substance use problems (SUPs) among nurses. Objectives: To assess relationships between psychological distress, sleep disturbance, job demand and SUPs among nurses and to identify potential risk factors or correlates of SUPs. Designs: Secondary data analysis was conducted using the Nurse Worklife and Wellness Study (NWWS) database. A total of 1,170 U.S. registered nurses were included in the study as a nationally representative sample collected through an online survey conducted between 2020 and 2021. Methods: Binary logistic regression examined the relationship between potential risk factors and SUPs (yes/no) among nurses, computed as odds ratios. SUPs defined as yes included any past year use, and at least 2 related symptoms (e.g., cravings, blackouts). Psychological distress comprised 3 items: depression, anxiety, and worry, sleep disturbance consisted of 4 items (e.g., sleep difficulties), and job demands contained 16 items in 2 subcategories: physical and psychological. Each of these were computed using summative scales. Results: We revealed that increased levels of psychological distress were significantly associated with a higher likelihood of problematic substance use (OR=1.15, p<.001). Increased psychological job demands were also significantly related to SUPs (OR = 1.07, p < .01). However, sleep disturbance and physical job demands were not significantly associated with nurses’ SUPs. Conclusion: The results suggest that psychological distress and job demands are correlates of problematic substance use among nurses. Further intervention to reduce levels of distress and workplace psychological job demands could reduce the likelihood and help identify SUPs among nurses.

66. Mapping of Kratom Availability: Comparison of rural and urban access, forms of Kratom, types of retail points of sale

Mary Ellen Wright, PhD, APRN, CPNP-PC, FAAN; Clemson University; Clemson, South Carolina

Wednesday, 5:40pm - 6:10pm, Breakout: Poster

Kratom, mitragynine speciosa, is a legally sold substance that in a low dose acts as a stimulant and in higher doses is a partial mu-receptor agonist with opioid like effects. Kratom is self-medication uses for a variety of symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, pain relief and in some cases as an opioid substitutes. Understanding that in rural areas, addiction recovery programs are often inaccessible, creating a disparity of services for this population, it is foundational to understand what other substances may be available in those regions as a treatment substitute. This exploratory comparative study describes the availability of Kratom comparing rural and urban regions across South Carolina, United States, in which sales of Kratom is unrestricted. The study also describes the types and forms of Kratom being sold, and the type of retail business that is the point of sale for Kratom. An on-line search of the 43 counties of South Carolina was conducted as to the places Kratom is sold. Data was collected as to the census categorization of the cities Kratom is sold as being urban or rural, the type of business and the products of Kratom in the sales inventory. Descriptive and Chi-square analysis were performed. Mapping was conducted to demonstrate the concentration of sales by region. The findings support that Kratom is available in both urban and rural areas. A further comparison of locations of recovery services and the availability of Kratom was performed and Kratom is available in rural areas with no recovery services. Healthcare professionals need to have knowledge of legal psychoactive substances such as Kratom and the availability of these substances for self-medication or as an opioid substitute. Kratom and other legal psychoactive substances should be considered in understanding the full story of substance use by individuals.

67. Pre and post immigration risks for substance use among immigrants in Regina, Saskatchewan: Implications for policy and practice

Geoffrey Maina, RN, PhD; University of Saskatchewan; Prince Albert, Canada

Thursday, 10:25am - 10:50am, Breakout: 25

Background: Immigration to Canada is growing steadily and it's projected that by 2036, more than 1/3 of the population will comprise individuals born or whose parents were born abroad. The rapid immigration growth will make the effects of acculturation stress, healthy immigrant effects and other determinants of health, visible. These include the use of substances as a maladaptive coping mechanism to these stressors. Since Canada does not screen for mental health and addiction for medical admissibility, immigrants with prior risks of substance use are also likely to be at a heightened risk of substance use due to these immigration-related factors. In this study, we explored immigrants' perspectives on the pre- and post-immigration risks for substance use. Methods: This study utilized qualitative exploratory methods to engage participants in in-depth interviews on diverse aspects of immigration-related factors that shape their risks for substance use. Results: Seventeen participants from diverse ethnic groups participated in the study. Four themes relevant to the study aims were generated and include awareness of substances used in the countries of origin; the context of substance use; Interventions to limit substance use; and post-immigration substance use dynamics. Discussion and conclusion: Participants exhibited varying knowledge of the substance used in their country of origin, attributes of those likely to use them and the role of governments and communities in preventing the proliferation of these substances. Participants drew attention to the ease of availability and acceptability of substances in Canada, which were deemed to incentivize their use. In addition, post-immigration risk factors such as weakening of sociocultural bonds, and settlement and integration challenges were mentioned as factors that abetted substance use, especially among the youth. Understanding the immigrant's perspectives on substance use risks can inform the development of tailor-made prevention interventions such as increasing literacy and stigma reduction.

68. The Role of Advanced Practice Nurses Caring and Treating People with Substance Use Disorders Globally within the International Council of Nurses/Advanced Practice Network.

Dana Murphy-Parker, MS, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP, FIAAN; University of Colorado College of Nursing; Aurora, Colorado

Wednesday, 2:45pm - 3:35pm, Breakout: 18

The International Council of Nurses Advanced Practice Network (ICN/APN) emerged in 2000 as the development and growth of ICN/APN demonstrated successful achievements towards global health with the workforce of Advanced Practice Nurses. The ICN/APN has stated that APNs are indispensable in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. As a Special Affiliate Organization of the ICN, IntNSA’s Advanced Practice Nurse members have a leading role in addressing the Sustainable Development Goal Indicator 3.5.2 which states: Substance abuse: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol. This presentation will discuss the ICN/APN as an organization, and the need of the APN workforce to improve health by treating millions of people around the globe for substance use disorders. This presentation will describe how to implement a model of an APN-Led Collaborative Care Clinic to treat those with substance use disorders.

69. Hearts and Minds Wellness Walk: A Student-Led Educational Health Awareness Benefit

Josh Moran Jimenez, DNP, APRN, PMHNP, CARN, CPHQ, CPAHA, NE-BC; Medical University of South Carolina; Charleston, South Carolina

Wednesday, 5:40pm - 6:10pm, Breakout: Poster

Did you know that the dependency rate of nicotine of persons with mental health disorders is about 2-3 times greater than the general population? Smoking doubles the risk of stroke and increases blood pressure. Because May is mental health awareness month, stroke awareness month, and hypertension awareness month, our team members combined forces to create this awesome wellness awareness opportunity! The Tobacco Treatment Specialist Training Program Director in partnership with two inpatient mental health professionals (a graduate nurse practitioner student and therapeutic assistant) who previously completed her tobacco treatment specialist training established a Hearts and Minds Wellness Walk with the Wellness Center Student Services Manager. From College of Nursing students to Institute of Psychiatry inpatient care team members to the Hollings Cancer Center Tobacco Cessation Program and the community, together we raised money and awareness for our patients! The Student Nurses Association partnered to share information in promoting the event along with receiving a sign-up to volunteer during the event. Throughout the walking track included signs with short facts the impact of tobacco use has in South Carolina and nationally. Over $1700 were raised from 48 donors to support under-insured/uninsured Institute of Psychiatry inpatients being discharged with a week supply of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT). On the event page, fundraising teams were established among the inpatient units to increase engagement and participation during nurses week with the winning unit receiving a pizza party!

70. Unregulated Drug Market Purchases: International Trends, Consumer Motivations, and Nursing Implications

Chandra Speight, PhD, RN, FNP-C, CNE; East Carolina University; Greenville, North Carolina

Tuesday, 3:35pm - 4:00pm, Breakout: 4

Unintentional drug overdose is a leading cause of death in the United States (US), Canada, and Australia and a growing concern in Europe. In the US and Canada, most overdose deaths are linked to the contamination of the illicit/unregulated market drug supply with synthetic opioids such as fentanyl; fentanyl contamination is an emerging threat in Europe and Australia. Consuming drugs from unregulated markets poses dangers to consumers, thus understanding the substances consumers seek from unregulated markets and their motivations for seeking these substances can provide insight to providers and policymakers working to curb drug-related harm. This quantitative descriptive study uses data from the web-based platform StreetRx, which collects anonymous reports of illicit drug market purchases including substance purchased, purchase place, price, and purchase motivation. This is the first study to explore consumer reported purchase motivation using StreetRx data. Analysis includes 261,782 user-reported illicit market drug purchases made between 2016 and the second quarter of 2024 in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the US. The most common substances purchased and the consumer cited purchase motivation are reported. Analysis finds almost half of users cite therapeutic (i.e., to treat a medical condition) not recreational motivations. Discussion focuses on whether and how this insight can be used to challenge policies restricting consumer access to medications for highly stigmatized conditions such as opioid use disorder and anxiety. Discussion also considers nursing practice and pedagogy implications, including debunking assumptions about illicit drug use (i.e., recreation motivated) and challenging provider reluctance to treat highly stigmatized conditions and prescribe controlled medications. Trends and international variations are considered through analysis between countries and across years. Overall, findings inform discussion on mitigating drug-related harm by creating policies and practices to ensure individuals’ therapeutic needs are met within established health systems and regulated drug markets.

71. Personal Recovery to Professional Impact: Enhancing Care for Special Populations

Shanea Clancy, DNP, EMBA-H, MSN, RN, CARN-AP, FIAAN; Clancy Consulting Services

Tuesday, 2:10 - 3pm, Breakout: 2

This presentation delves into how personal recovery experiences can inform and improve professional care practices for special populations. I will share my journey through recovery, detailing the challenges I faced and the strategies that facilitated my healing. This personal perspective will provide a foundation for discussing broader implications for care. In the professional segment, I will illustrate how these personal insights translate into effective care strategies within the role of the nurse. I will explore best practices for developing inclusive and empathetic care models, addressing common barriers, and promoting resilience among individuals and clinicians facing unique challenges. Key discussion points will include the importance of personalized care, the role of interdisciplinary teams, and strategies for overcoming stigma and enhancing accessibility.

72. Pushing Back the Fear: An Innovative Peer-Driven Mobile Community Based Approach to a Statewide HCV Elimination Initiative in Vulnerable Populations in New Jersey

KEVIN LEYDEN, BSN, RN; NORTH JERSEY COMMUNITY RESEARCH INITIATIVE (NJCRI); Newark, New Jersey

Thursday, 3:10pm - 3:35pm, Breakout: 34

North Jersey Community Research Initiative (NJCRI) was interested in studying the widespread substance use and hepatitis C infections in New Jersey, which affects the state’s HCV elimination efforts. NJCRI’s Mobile Hepatitis C Elimination Clinics travel to a variety of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment facilities, harm reduction clinics and locations known for high volume substance use. We study, screen, and treat those that have new infection, reinfections and those that never finished their treatments in both the urban and rural settings. This decentralized model of care, along with a program staff consisting of people with lived experience (PWLE) has shown to reduce treatment barriers throughout New Jersey. The Hep C Elimination Program is peer nurse driven and includes other PWLE at different positions. Clients are tested, and if positive, blood is drawn on site. Clients are invited to a telehealth visit with an infectious disease specialist who makes an assessment for therapy and sends their prescription to a specialty pharmacy. The pharmacy, in turn, reaches out to the clients and delivers their medications usually within one week of the telehealth visit. Disease surveillance nurses and a dedicated case manager follow the patients through the treatment and search for those that become lost to follow up. Since its inception, over 8000 people who use drugs have been tested and over 1800 patients are on or have completed treatment. The program services all 21 counties in the state and collaborates with over 70 organizations of all levels of care.

73. Involving People Who Use Drugs (PWUD) in Community-Based Research: A Systematic Review

Junior Cruz, Senior Nursing Student; Lexington, Kentucky

Wednesday, 5:40pm - 6:10pm, Breakout: Poster

To address the opioid overdose crisis, there is an urgent need for meaningful involvement of people who use drugs (PWUD) in research. PWUD have critical insights into the needs of their community and potential solutions, however, they often encounter barriers to engagement in the research process. University researchers, in partnership with Voices of Hope, collaborated to form the Survivors Union of the Bluegrass (SUB), a Community Advisory Board comprised of PWUD. To guide SUB practices, we conducted a systematic review on PWUD involvement in community advisory boards. We followed PRISMA guidelines and: 1. Identified relevant articles from Academic Search Complete, COCHRANE, and PubMed. 2. Screened for duplicates 3. Reviewed articles that included an advisory mechanism with PWUD. Initially, the literature review identified 225 articles. After removing 112 articles during the title and abstract screening, 36 duplicates, 1 non-English article, and 66 not meeting inclusion criteria, 11 articles were included. The review identified several studies with CABs of PWUD. Board operating procedures vary (e.g, frequency, length, and structure of meetings), but they commonly provide input on all areas of the study (questionnaire development, data collection and analysis, and interpretation). Results of the review also highlighted the need for more widespread and systematic involvement. Relative to the findings, the SUB is novel in its connection to the university rather than a specific study. This allows PWUD to advise researchers during formative stages, thus potentially guiding researchers toward addressing real community concerns. Future research should concentrate on expanding the involvement of PWUD, addressing barriers to participation, and evaluating the effects of community advisory boards

74. "Original Body of Pain" Documentary Film Experiences of Pregnant and Parenting Mothers with Addiction: Discussion of Stigma

Mary Ellen Wright, PhD, APRN, CPNP-PC, FAAN; Clemson University; Clemson, South Carolina

Thursday, 11:00am - 11:50am, Breakout: 30

The proposed presentation will include the viewing of the original documentary film titled "Original Body of Pain", which represents an ethnography of two women with addiction during pregnancy, birth and postpartum period. The film represents their experiences with addiction, pregnancy and motherhood by telling their own story. Post the film viewing, the major themes of the film will be presented in light of the current research, with a particular focus on the experience of stigma and judgement that is experienced by women with addiction during the perinatal period. The audience of the session will be asked to participate in a discussion of strategies to address healthcare professionals and implicit bias towards pregnant or parenting women with addiction.

75. An international discussion on the impact of structural stigma on the health outcomes of people with SUD

Adrian Jugdoyal, RGN, RMN, NMP, TCH, FHEA, FIAAN, FRSA, FRSPH; Brunel University; Uxbridge, United Kingdom

Thursday, 1:45pm - 2:35pm, Breakout: 33

Structural stigma within healthcare systems imposes significant barriers to accessing generalized healthcare services for individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs). This form of stigma extends beyond individual biases, becoming embedded in policies, institutional practices, and societal norms, which collectively marginalize individuals with SUDs. Structural stigma manifests through restrictive healthcare policies, limited resources, and the discriminatory attitudes of healthcare providers, all of which deter individuals with SUDs from seeking necessary medical support. Stigmatizing policies—such as those prioritizing punitive measures over supportive treatment options—further compound the challenges individuals face when attempting to access healthcare services. Additionally, budgetary constraints and lack of funding for SUD-related services contribute to inadequate healthcare provision, disproportionately impacting this vulnerable population. The impact of structural stigma on individuals with SUDs is profound, influencing not only their access to healthcare but also the quality and continuity of care they receive. Stigmatizing attitudes and practices among healthcare professionals may lead to substandard treatment, negatively affecting patient outcomes and perpetuating health disparities. Consequently, individuals with SUDs are at an elevated risk of untreated medical conditions, increased mortality rates, and worsening mental and physical health outcomes. Addressing structural stigma requires systemic changes, including policy reforms that emphasize compassion and recovery-oriented approaches over punitive responses. Increasing awareness and training among healthcare providers on the impacts of stigma can promote a more inclusive and supportive healthcare environment for individuals with SUDs. Furthermore, investing in SUD-specific resources within healthcare settings can help mitigate disparities and enhance service accessibility. By challenging structural stigma and implementing inclusive practices, healthcare systems can improve both the accessibility and quality of care for individuals with substance use disorders, ultimately fostering a more equitable approach to health and wellness for all populations.

76. Time for Nursing Education to Include Substance Use Disorders as a Competency in Both National and International Undergraduate and Graduate Nursing Programs

Theresa Fay-Hillier, DrPH, MSN, PMHCNS-BC; Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Thursday, 10:25am - 10:50am, Breakout: 26

According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in 2021 there was an estimated 39.5 million people globally who had a substance use disorder, but only 1 in 5 people received treatment. Additionally in the United States in 2022, there were 48.7 million people aged 12 or older (or 17.3% of the population) had a substance use disorder (SUD) in the past year, including 29.5 million who had an alcohol use disorder (AUD), 27.2 million who had a drug use disorder (DUD), and 8.0 million people who had both an AUD and a DUD (SAMSHA, 2023). In 2021 it was noted by the UNODC (2023) that globally there has been a 23 percent increase in drug use from the previous decade. Although globally there is large portion of the population that suffers from a substance use disorder, it is not consistently taught in nursing programs (Dion & Griggs, 2020). The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials and the international nursing programs should include some basic substance use disorder competencies in their education programs. This session will focus on needed substance use disorder education competencies that should be in all undergraduate and graduate programs. Keywords: Education, Competencies, Substance Use Disorders

77. Implementation of a Same-Day PrEP Protocol at a Substance Use Disorder Clinic

Ashley Davis, MSN, APRN, CARN-AP, AAHIVS; University of Maryland, Baltmore; Washington, District Of Columbia

Wednesday, 5:40pm - 6:10pm, Breakout: Poster

Problem: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective strategy in the prevention of HIV acquisition. A substance use disorder clinic located in a metropolitan area serves a population with multiple risk factors for HIV acquisition including intravenous drug use, condomless sex, and transactional sex. Despite offering PrEP, this clinic has determined their PrEP uptake rate to be 16%. A fishbone diagram was created to analyze the clinic’s PrEP process which revealed a delay from identification of risk to PrEP initiation. Aims: The purpose of this quality improvement project is to increase PrEP uptake among HIV negative patients who have a high risk of HIV acquisition by implementing a same-day PrEP (SDP) protocol. Evidence demonstrates that SDP is safe, feasible, and key in promoting PrEP uptake in high-risk populations by reducing barriers to PrEP care. Methods: The Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services(PARIHS) framework was utilized as the conceptual framework to guide this project. A SDP protocol was established applying CDC guidance for SDP and integrated into the electronic health record. An interdisciplinary team of nurse practitioners, physicians, RNs, and community health care workers was mobilized to enact the change in workflow. Patients deemed eligible for SDP were offered a prescription for PrEP at the initial appointment. Following PrEP initiation, patients were scheduled for a 1-week and 1-month follow-up where uptake was assessed. Preliminary Results: Nine weeks into implementation, twelve patients have presented for PrEP and 100% of these patients were screened for SDP eligibility. Three patients were deemed ineligible, eight patients declined, and one patient initiated SDP. Preliminary findings suggest that the intervention has been successfully integrated into the clinic workflow demonstrating the feasibility of implementing an evidenced based model of PrEP delivery that expands access to PrEP. However, further exploration of barriers is needed to improve patient acceptance.

79. A discussion on the UK approach to a non smoking generation ( a review of planned policy)

Adrian Jugdoyal, RGN, RMN, NMP, TCH, FHEA, FIAAN, FRSA, FRSPH; Brunel University; Uxbridge, United Kingdom

Wednesday, 11:10am - 11:35am, Breakout: 13

The UK government has embraced a thorough approach to tobacco control, emphasising the reduction of smoking rates and the regulated use of vaping for harm reduction. Through rigorous legislative actions such as plain packaging, increased excise taxes, and restricted sales based on age, the government seeks to reduce the attractiveness and availability of smoking, especially among younger demographics. Key public health initiatives such as "Stoptober" and NHS smoking cessation services have enhanced smokers' ability to quit by offering accessible resources, behavioural help, and sometimes alternative choices like nicotine replacement therapies and e-cigarettes. The UK's unique approach includes promoting vaping as a safer alternative to smoking. Findings from studies by Public Health England and other agencies have proposed that vaping is roughly 95% less harmful than traditional smoking, positioning it as a potential cessation aid for smokers. The policy endorses the concept of harm reduction by incorporating e-cigarettes into certain NHS cessation initiatives. The government is considering more stringent regulations on flavours, marketing, and packaging because of the recent rise in youth vaping to prevent minors from forming nicotine addictions. The government has announced an ambitious aim of reaching a smoke-free generation by 2030, marked by smoking rates under 5%. In order to meet this aim, the development of pioneering policies is necessary, particularly within disadvantaged communities that continue to experience elevated smoking rates. Possible strategies encompass imposing additional financial penalties on tobacco companies, broadening public health campaigns, and enhancing cessation resources.

80. A panel discussion of the role of advanced practice nurses in addictions care

Adrian Jugdoyal, RGN, RMN, NMP, TCH, FHEA, FIAAN, FRSA, FRSPH; Brunel University; Uxbridge, United Kingdom

Wednesday, 3:45pm - 4:35pm, Breakout: 21

Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) play a pivotal role in addiction care and prevention globally, encompassing responsibilities that span direct patient care, education, advocacy, and research. The multifaceted role of APNs in managing substance use disorders (SUDs) across various healthcare systems and regions emphasises their involvement in screening, treatment, and support for comorbid mental health issues. APNs also contribute significantly to patient and community education on addiction, guiding patients toward healthier lifestyles and reducing stigma. As advocates, APNs influence policy changes that improve access to addiction resources, integrate addiction services into primary care, and expand harm reduction initiatives. Through research and guideline development, APNs enhance addiction treatment protocols, bridging the gap between clinical evidence and practice. While their roles vary by region—due to differences in healthcare regulations, resources, and cultural attitudes—APNs remain critical to advancing effective and compassionate addiction care worldwide.

81. Empowering Nursing Students to Effectively Combat the Opioid Epidemic: Implementation of a Workshop Utilizing Standardized Patients to Improve Knowledge, Attitudes, and Confidence

Brayden Kameg, PhD, DNP, PMHNP-BC; University of Pittsburgh; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Wednesday, 11:10am - 11:35am, Breakout: 14

Background: Opioid use disorders and overdose deaths are on the rise and remain a contributor to morbidity and mortality. Nonetheless, nursing management of opioid use disorders and prevention of opioid overdose deaths are not routinely or comprehensively covered in most BSN programs. Purpose: The purpose of this project was to develop and implement validated, standardized patient (SP) simulation experiences focusing on the management of opioid use and overdose prevention for use within an undergraduate/BSN program, in an effort to improve knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs surrounding opioid use management, while improving perceptions of those with opioid use disorders. Methods: Faculty experts developed and validated six (SP) simulation scenarios centering around opioid use disorder and overdose prevention. This curriculum change was implemented in a scaffolded approach with initial didactic training and simulation scenarios implemented in a junior-level psychiatric nursing course. Senior-level students in a community health nursing course participated in additional didactic training and simulation scenarios that built upon previous content. Pre- and post-measurements included the Drug and Drug Problems Perception Questionnaire (DDPPQ), Opioid Overdose Knowledge Scale, and Opioid Overdose Attitude Scale. Results: A total of 489 undergraduate students participated, most of whom identified as female and were between the ages of 20-29 years. Following the training, there were significant improvements in role legitimacy, role support, and job satisfaction (p < 0.001) related to caring for those with opioid use disorder, although there was a reduction in role-specific self-esteem. Regarding opioid overdose attitudes, nursing students reported feeling more concerned about patients’ risk of overdose after the training (p = 0.009), although there were not significant changes in readiness to implement overdose prevention techniques. Conclusions: Educational interventions utilizing SP simulation scenarios can improve nursing student attitudes towards the management of opioid use disorder, although additional experiences might be necessary to improve self-esteem.

82. The impact of sexual exploitation on recovery capital among women who are incarcerated

Amanda Fallin-Bennett, PhD, RN; University of Kentucky College of Nursing; Lexington, Kentucky

Thursday, 1:45pm - 2:10pm, Breakout: 32

Recovery capital, the internal and external factors that support recovery from substance use disorder (SUD), is associated with numerous positive outcomes, including sustained recovery, life satisfaction, health related quality of life, and reductions in cravings and substance use. As the science of recovery capital has advanced, less research has focused on factors which may negatively impact women’s recovery capital. Given the associations between sexual exploitation, incarceration, and SUD, it is important to explore specifically the impact sexual exploitation may have on recovery capital among women who are incarcerated. Women (N=900) were recruited from Kentucky jails as part of the broader NIDA-funded Kentucky Justice Community Opioid Innovation Network (JCOIN) cooperative project. All women were administered surveys that included the Brief Assessment of Recovery Capital (BARC-10), however, only 634 women answered questions added later related to sexual exploitation (e.g., being a victim of sexual exploitation by force, fraud or coercion). Descriptive statistics were calculated, and linear regression was used to examine the relationship between prior sexual exploitation and BARC-10 scores. Participants were between the ages of 18 and 61, were primarily cisgender women (99.2%), non-Hispanic White (99.4%), and had an average BARC-10 score of 45.5 (out of 60). Almost one in four women (22.7%) experienced sexual exploitation, including by force (physical harm, assault, or restraint; 12.5%), coercion (threat of harm or calling authorities; 14.2%), or fraud (lies or false promises; 20.2%). In the regression model, prior experiences with sexual exploitation were significantly associated with lower recovery capital (B=-2.19, p=0.016) after controlling for covariates. These findings highlight the need for advocacy efforts to promote recovery pathways for women that include addressing the impact of prior experiences of sexual exploitation. Specifically, peer-led interventions tailored for women who are incarcerated and have experienced sexual exploitation are needed to support recovery in this highly vulnerable group.

83. Why Contingency Management is Standard of Care for StimUD Patients and Adjunctive Treatment for Other SUD: Insights from Evidenced-Based CM Case Studies

Jill Rathburn, BSN, RN, PMH-BC, BCC, PCRC; DynamiCare Health; Nashville, Tennessee

Wednesday, 4:45pm - 5:35pm, Breakout: 24

Contingency Management (CM) is an evidence-based behavioral health intervention widely recognized as the standard of care for stimulant use disorder (StimUD) and as an adjunctive treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD). Despite strong evidence supporting CM's effectiveness in improving treatment outcomes such as abstinence, enrollment, attendance, and adherence, its adoption in clinical practice remains limited. This is largely due to academic and practice gaps in evidence-based CM knowledge, stigma, financial barriers, and real or perceived staff burden related to implementation. CM has been proven beneficial in the SUD continuum of care across diverse patient populations, including Native Americans and underserved minority groups, pregnant and postpartum women, criminal justice-involved individuals, adolescents, veterans, those with co-occurring mental health illness, and in urban and rural populations. This CE session explores how system designs, digital health, and sophisticated tracking tools can alleviate many of the operational challenges associated with traditional, manual CM programs. Through a series of case studies, we will examine the successful implementation of CM in various settings: -California Medicaid StimUD Program: A large-scale CM program utilizing digital tools to improve treatment engagement and outcomes. -Rhode Island StimUD/OUD State Program: A statewide program addressing polysubstance treatment outcomes using fully virtual digital CM. -Tennessee Outpatient Program for Pregnant and Postpartum Women with SUD: A maternal health program integrating CM to support abstinence and sustainable recovery. These case studies will demonstrate the efficiency and effectiveness of CM, making it more accessible to both clinicians and patients. By reducing staff burden and improving tracking capabilities, these digital solutions offer a pathway to scale CM interventions, ultimately improving treatment outcomes across varied populations. Finally this session will provide a brief overview of CM, ASAM Guidelines for Treatment of Stimulant Use Disorder, HHS Guidelines on CM, and features of CM.

84. History of the Four Waves of the Opioid Epidemic, and recommendations of how to manage high potency synthetic opioid withdrawal with pharmacotherapy.

Dana Murphy Parker, MS, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP, FIAAN; University of Colorado College of Nursing; Aurora, Colorado

Tuesday, 3:10pm - 3:35pm, Breakout: 4

This presentation will give a historical perspective of the opioid epidemic in the United States (US). The opioid epidemic has been described as occurring in ‘WAVES’ and the US is currently considered to be in the ‘Fourth Wave’ of the opioid epidemic. As the WAVES have occurred there has been an escalation of more potent substances available in the marketplace, and the use of illicit fentanyl simultaneously with stimulants, and xylazine present a challenge in managing withdrawal and detoxification. Several scenarios will be presented and discussed in terms of how to manage withdrawal of these substances.

85. Alternative buprenorphine induction strategies in the fentanyl era: When to use and what to do?

Jessica Skarda, DNP-s, MSN, CRNP, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP; University of Alabama at Birmingham; Birmingham, Alabama

Tuesday, 4:10pm - 5:00pm, Breakout: 9

Problem: According to the DEA, fentanyl overdoses are now the leading cause of death in individuals aged 18-45 in the US. Buprenorphine, FDA-approved medication, reduces all-cause mortality by 76% for people with Opioid Use Disorder. However, the increasing prevalence of fentanyl and other high potency synthetic opioids in the illicit drug supply has made traditional buprenorphine induction challenging, with patients experiencing prolonged or increased withdrawal severity even when best practices are followed. Since research is unable to keep up with the urgency of current demands and the evolving drug supply landscape, clinical guidelines have recommended the use of alternative induction strategies. This systematic literature review explored alternative induction strategies that could minimize or ameliorate withdrawal to alleviate patient suffering and improve treatment outcomes. Design/Methods: A systematic review was conducted using PubMed through structured search. Due to heterogeneity of conceptual definitions and terminology for induction methods across the literature, initially the yield was limited. Snowball sampling was then employed from key sources to capture the full spectrum of alternative induction strategies, and the initial search was augmented with key guidelines. Articles were evaluated using the Adapted Rating System for the Hierarchy of Evidence. Results: Analysis of articles revealed two main alternative induction approaches: (a) low-dose buprenorphine induction with either opioid continuation or opioid bridging, and (b) high-dose induction. Low-dose induction with opioid continuation or bridging showed promise for minimizing withdrawal, and high dose induction showed promise for rapid completion and stabilization in emergency settings. Conclusion: Alternative buprenorphine induction strategies may potentially minimize withdrawal symptom severity and improve treatment outcomes. Although current evidence is mostly case reports and cohort studies, these strategies may be beneficial for patients with fentanyl exposure or who are unable to tolerate traditional induction. However, more robust research is necessary.

86. Integrating lessons learned from people who use drugs: Partnering with the recovery community to ethically promote perinatal and reproductive health empowerment

Jeremy Byard, BS; CARE at Arthur Street Hotel; Louisville, Kentucky

Wednesday, 5:40pm - 6:10pm, Breakout: Poster

Maternal deaths are largely preventable. Most maternal deaths in Kentucky are substance involved (57%) and women who use drugs are more likely to have unmet reproductive and maternal health needs due to fear of child protective services, stigma and discrimination. We developed a reproductive/perinatal health intervention designed to be implemented within recovery community centers (RCCs). The intervention included free harm reduction supplies (emergency contraception, prenatal vitamins and pregnancy tests) and training for recovery coaches on championing autonomy and linkage to address social and healthcare gaps. The purpose of this presentation is to describe lessons learned from people who use drugs (PWUD) and the evolution of our recovery community center (RCC) program. The research team co-developed an iterative intervention with the recovery community, informed by qualitative interviews with staff and participants and meetings with the Survivors Union of the Bluegrass, a UK community advisory board comprised of PWUD to refine and modify the project. Several lessons learned impacted the intervention. There was a shift from the original plan of providing injectable contraception to emergency contraception, due to concerns raised about feasibility, storage, loss of anonymity, and side effects. Also due to community concern around the original focus on pregnancy prevention, given past ethical research misconduct in this area, we shifted to intentionally include preconception education and prenatal vitamins. The community also requested that the harm reduction products always remain low barrier/free and indicated a need for education related to the difference between emergency contraception and abortion for recovery coaches. This project underscores the value of community-engaged approaches to program development, particularly when addressing sensitive topics like reproductive health within a recovery context. We gained critical insights by collaborating directly with community members with lived and living experience and made key adjustments that impacted the acceptability of the intervention. 

87. Classroom to Community: An Innovative & Collaborative Approach to SBIRT Training in Public Health Settings

Kimberly Martini, LMSW, CPC, QIDP; Saginaw Valley State University; Saginaw, Michigan

Wednesday, 5:40pm - 6:10pm, Breakout: Poster

Problem: The rate of babies born substance-exposed is two to five times greater in rural Michigan than the state average. Identifying substance misuse or a substance use disorder in birthing persons ages 18-45 can help to decrease the number of babies born substance-exposed. One way to identify these people is to use Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT). Public health providers, particularly those working with birthing individuals in this age group, play a critical role in addressing substance use disorder. Offering targeted, scaffolded training—including live simulations—can increase SBIRT adoption in public health settings, while also enhancing providers' confidence, attitudes, and readiness to implement the screening and intervention process effectively. Aim: The project translated a training designed for SVSU students for use with public health community providers. This quantitative study examines the impact of the training on the attitudes, confidence and readiness of providers in public health settings to administer SBIRT before and after a scaffolded training including didactic, virtual simulation and live simulation. Methods: A peer recovery organization volunteered to develop and implement a half-day simulation for community providers using people in long-term recovery as the actors. Pre and post-test surveys were provided to the community providers before the scaffolded training and after completion. T-tests were completed to determine the results. Results: A survey was sent out to all the community providers who participated in the SBIRT training. 48 community providers responded. Their responses show statistically significant improvements in providers’ attitudes, confidence, and readiness to provide addiction care. Conclusion: Providing the SBIRT training, including live simulation, to community providers was beneficial to them and their attitudes, confidence and readiness to provide care to people living with substance use disorders or who are misusing substances.

Marissa Abram, PhD, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP, FIAAN; Duke University; Durham, North Carolina

Marissa D. Abram PhD, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP, FIAAN is an Assistant Professor at the Duke University School of Nursing. Dr. Abram has approximately 20 years of extensive clinical experience in the care of patients with addiction and co-occurring psychiatric disorders. She utilizes a trauma informed, harm reduction approach to personalize care and facilitate wellness. Dr. Abram’s research is focused on reducing inequities within addiction treatment. Her research seeks to close those gaps by developing interventions to improve health and facilitate recovery. As an educator, she is committed to preparing the future workforce to prevent, treat and manage addiction.

Michelle Acorn, DNP, NP PHC/Adult, FCAN, FAAN, FFNMRCSI, FQNI; Nurse Practitioner Association of Ontario; Toronto, Canada

Dr. Acorn has 35 years of nursing, health systems and leadership expertise. She is the Nurse Practitioners Association of Ontario CEO, previous inaugural International Council of Nurses Chief Nurse, and former Ontario Chief Nursing Officer. Dr Acorn upholds all NP advanced practice role domains. Michelle is a Doctor of Nurse Practitioner/ Nursing Practice and dually registered as a Primary Health Care/ Adult Nurse Practitioner. Dr. Acorn’s diverse clinical expertise includes Emergency, Hospitalist, Geriatrics, and pioneering the most responsible provider (MRP) NP–led model of inpatient hospital care and NP primary care models in corrections. Clinically she enhances access to care for health equity seeking populations.

José Adelmo da Silva Filho, MSN, BSN; School of Nursing at University of São Paulo; São Paulo, Brazil

Nurse from the Regional University of Cariri. Master's in Nursing from the Postgraduate Programme in Nursing at the Universidade Regional do Cariri. PhD student in the Postgraduate Nursing Programme at the University of São Paulo School of Nursing (EE-USP). Multiprofessional Residency in Collective Mental Health at the Ceará School of Public Health (ESPCE). Member of the Department of Psychiatric Nursing and Mental Health of the Brazilian Nursing Association - Ceará Section (DEPSM-CE, management 2020-2022). Researcher in the Clinical, Care and Health Management Research Group (GPCLIN/URCA/CNPq). Member of the Centre for Nursing Studies and Research in Addictions (NEPEAA - EE-USP)

Nancy Ahern, PhD, RN, FNAP; University of North Carolina Wilmington; Wilmington, North Carolina

Nancy Ahern is a Professor at the University of North Carolina School of Nursing. She earned a BSN and MSN from the University of Delaware, an MEd from Salisbury University, and a PhD in nursing from the University of Central Florida. Her clinical focus is maternal child nursing. Research interests are adolescent risk and resilience, opioid use disorders, and innovative teaching strategies. She is an active participant in service to her SON, the college, the university, and profession. She holds numerous professional memberships including a Fellow in NAP, and is on the editorial board for two professional journals and a manuscript reviewer for several journals.

Josh Altemoos, EdM; University at Buffalo, The State University of New York; Buffalo, New York

Mr. Joshua Altemoos is a Project Coordinator with the Center for Nursing Research at the University at Buffalo's School of Nursing. Mr. Altemoos holds a Masters of Education in Higher Education Administration, with a focus in Student Affairs Administration and student development and has worked on workforce training and student development programs for the past seven years.

Jaxin Annett, MS; UK Center for Drug and Alcohol Research; Lexington, Kentucky

Jaxin Annett currently serves as a data support specialist for the University of Kentucky’s Center on Drug and Alcohol Research and Substance Use Priority Research Area. Her research primarily centers on substance use in criminal justice-involved populations, with an emphasis on maltreatment and traumatic experiences across the lifespan and mental health.

Sarah Bagley, MD; Chobanian & Avedisian Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center; Boston, Massachusetts

Dr. Sarah Bagley is the founder of the CATALYST at Boston Medical Center providing integrated substance use care and primary care for youth where she sees patients. Her passion is to ensure that all youth who use substances have access to high quality, equitable care to promote their health. Her research focus is on the engagement of adolescents and young adults who use drugs to minimize risk for overdose and the complications of drug use. She has funding from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and PCORI to conduct this research.

Sharon Barber, MSW, LCSW; University of South Florida; Tampa, Florida

Sharon Barber is a licensed clinical social worker. She holds a bachelors degree and MSW from Howard University.

Dalton Barrett, B.S., CP-C, Level II EMS Instructor, Paramedic; Edgecomb County; Tarboro, North Carolina

Dalton Barrett B.S., CP-C serves as the Community Paramedic Program Manager at Edgecombe County EMS in Eastern North Carolina. Captain Barrett leads an initiative targeting substance use disorders, particularly opioid use disorder, through the delivery of mobile health services. His program employs evidence-based strategies, including mobile health screenings for Hepatitis C, HIV, and syphilis, alongside a syringe access program that emphasizes harm reduction to mitigate infectious disease transmission. He also facilitates anonymous street drug testing and provides harm reduction supplies, including naloxone and test strips. Additionally, he oversees medication-assisted treatment services and other types of advanced medical care in the field.

Christopher Barrick, PhD; University at Buffalo, The State University of New York; Buffalo, New York

Dr. Christopher Barrick is a clinical psychologist and works as a Research Associate Professor with the University at Buffalo’s School of Nursing. Dr. Barrick has a PhD in Psychology. His research interests focuses on looking at effective ways to disseminate evidence-based interventions into broad clinical practice and using technology to facilitate clinical substance abuse research.

Samba Boye, BSN, HND, RN, CHN; Program Officer at Results Based Financing Unit Ministry of Health The Gambia

Mr Boye has 15 years of work experience from village health service level to central level. He started as a supervisor for Community Health Workers at village health service level and rose through the ranks to become a Program Officer at Ministry of Health. He also currently serve as the Secretary General of the National Association of Gambia Nurses and Midwives, which is the parent Nurses and Midwives association in The Gambia. Mr Boye is a Nurse-Midwife by training who bagged both a Higher National Diploma and Bsc in Midwifery and has been a practicing Midwife for 8 years. He was a Registered Nurse before uplifting his professional career to the field of Midwifery. His work as a Program Officer includes coordinating and supervising the implementation of the performance-based financing scheme across all tiers of public health facilities within The Gambia.

Jeremy Byard, BS; CARE at Arthur Street Hotel; Louisville, Kentucky

Jeremy Byard, a person in recovery from opioid use disorder, is the Director of Harm Reduction and Data & Policy Management at the Arthur Street Hotel, a program for individuals experiencing unstable housing. He is also a co-founder and former CEO of the Louisville Recovery Community Connection. Byard also contributes to teaching and research on harm reduction and recovery at the University of Kentucky. He serves as the Chair of the Survivor's Union of the Bluegrass, University of Kentucky community advisory board comprised of people who use drugs.

Danilo Been Carrasco, MD; Cornell Scott Hill Health Center, South Central Rehabilitation Center; New Haven, Connecticut

Dr. Been Carrasco holds double board certification in adult and addiction psychiatry, a volunteer faculty appointment at Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, CT, and is the medical director of SCRC in New Haven CT, running dual diagnosis, Methadone, Suboxone clinic and 24/7 short term detox services. He is a member of the American Psychiatric Association, American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry, International Society of Sport Psychiatry, an honorary member of the Dominican Medical Association of NY. Dr. Been works as a Resource Doctor for the MLB Rookie League Yearly Program. He works as the medical director in many non-profit programs and numerous medical missions.

Corinne Borel, BSN RN; University of Maryland, School of Nursing, Baltimore; Baltimore, Maryland

Following ten years of addiction experience, Corinne Borel is completing her Doctorate of Nurse Practice at the University of Maryland, School of Nursing, Baltimore. Previously she was a Program Manager at Save the Children, Director of the Child Health Foundation and Director of Medical Education and Communications at the North American Association of Obesity. She is Education Chair of the National Association of Chemical Dependency Nurses. Her publications include: “Preparing health & human services professionals to address the opioid epidemic: White Paper.” She has served on a Baltimore City Heroin Task Force and received IntNSA’s 2018 Community and Advocacy award.

Lexi Bryan, MSW, LMSW; Barnes-Jewish Hospital; Saint Louis, Missouri

Lexi Bryan came to her social work career after spending her early adulthood as a history teacher and set painter. After observing policies and systems through the education system, she decided to become a social worker and earned her MSW at Washington University in St. Louis. She began her social work career in 2023 as an inpatient float at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Lexi is passionate about social justice, encouraging those around her to reflect on the past to pursue progress in our future. In her off time, Lexi enjoys spending time with her husband, 2 dogs and 2 cats.

Maria Regina Camargo Ferraz Souza, Msc; Pontificia Universidade Católica de São Paulo; Sorocaba, Brazil

32 years old, head nurse in CAPS AD. Master's degree in Health Sciences from the University of São Paulo and a Bachelor's degree in Nursing from PUCSP. My professional background is in public health, with a focus on alcohol and drug treatment and harm reduction.

Marcio Camatta, Ph.D, MsN, BsN; Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul; Porto Alegre, Brazil

Professor of undergraduate and postgraduate nursing at UFRGS. Member of the Study and Research Group on Psychiatric Nursing and Mental Health (GEPESM/UFRGS). Tutor of the Multiprofessional Residency Program in Health (Drugs area) and professor of the Professional Master's Course in Mental Health and Addictions at the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre/UFRGS. Interested in research in the area of Mental Health and Nursing, especially related to drug use. Develops research on services and care teams, individual and family care, production of care technologies and professional training.

Angela Carrano, DNP, MSN, RN; Cornell Scott Hill Health Center, South Central Rehabilitation & University of Saint Joseph; New Haven/West Hartford, Connecticut

Dr. Angela Carrano is a nurse educator, clinician, and organizational leader. She holds an MSN in nursing education, a DNP with concentration in population health and emergency disaster preparedness, and certifications in emergency preparedness. She is currently associate professor of nursing at the University of Saint Joseph, with teaching experience over a 17-year academic career in critical care nursing, psychiatric-mental health nursing, and community/public health nursing. She has practiced as a staff nurse in inner-city emergency department, community public health nurse case manager, and acute care substance abuse detox center. She holds office position Connecticut Public Health Association and East Shore District Health Department.

Tiffany Champagne-Langabeer, PhD; University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHealth) Houston; Houston, Texas

Dr. Tiffany Champagne-Langabeer is an Associate Professor at McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics at UTHealth Houston. She is the co-investigator of the Houston Emergency Opioid Engagement System (HEROES), a national clinical trial providing comprehensive treatment for individuals suffering from opioid use disorder. The program is a collaborative partnership with the Houston Fire Department, Houston Police Department, Houston Recovery Center, and the Memorial Hermann Hospital. Dr. Champagne-Langabeer’s areas of expertise include health policy, healthcare management, and health information exchange.

Yu-Ping Chang, PhD, RN, FGSA, FAAN, FIAAN; University at Buffalo, The State University of New York; Buffalo, New York

Dr. Yu-Ping Chang is the Patricia H. and Richard E. Garman Endowed Professor, Associate Dean for Research and an Professor in the School of Nursing with the University at Buffalo. Dr. Chang has a Masters Degree in Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing and a PhD in Nursing. Her research focuses on integrating behavioral interventions, including motivational interviewing and mindfulness-based stress reduction, for substance abuse and mental health in primary care settings and evaluating the effects of intervention on various outcomes.

Pamela F. Cipriano, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN; International Council of Nurses, Geneva, Switzerland; University of Virginia, Charlottesville

Dr. Pamela Cipriano, an internationally recognised nursing leader, is the 29th President of the International Council of Nurses (ICN) and a Professor at the University of Virginia’s School of Nursing and Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy in Charlottesville, VA. She previously served as Dean of the UVA School of Nursing, ICN’s First Vice President, and two terms as the president of the American Nurses Association. She also has extensive experience as an academic medical center executive with a focus on improving the quality and safety of service delivery and the work environment. Dr Cipriano is well known both in the United States and internationally, as a strong advocate for the nursing profession. During her over 40-year career, she has led efforts to advance the role and visibility of nurses and increase nursing’s impact and influence on policy. She is a Co-Chair of the UHC2030 Steering Committee, a multistakeholder platform for advancing actions to achieve universal health coverage and strengthen health systems at global and country levels worldwide. Dr Cipriano is also a Co-Chair of the National Academy of Medicine’s Action Collaborative on Clinician Well-Being and Resilience, which aims to prevent burnout and improve the physical and mental health and well-being of all clinicians. Among her many honors and awards for exceptional leadership and contributions to the profession, she was the 2010-2011 Distinguished Nurse Scholar-in-Residence at the Institute of Medicine, received the American Academy of Nursing’s Healthcare Leader Award in 2018, and was named as a Living Legend in 2023.

Trisha Charbonneau-Ivey, BA, MSHAL; Saginaw Valley State University; Saginaw, Michigan

Trisha Charbonneau-Ivey, BA, MSHAL is the Associate Director for the Center for Rural Behavioral Health & Addiction Studies at Saginaw Valley State University. Bringing over 20 years of experience to her position, she leads special projects that develop and deliver innovative interdisciplinary healthcare education opportunities, including Project ECHO and novel behavioral health and substance use disorder simulations. Trisha holds Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology from Aquinas College, a Master of Science in Health Administration and Leadership from Saginaw Valley State University, and a certificate in Integrated Behavioral Health and Primary Care (Adult & Pediatric) from the University of Michigan.

Shanea Clancy, DNP, EMBA-H, MSN, RN, CARN-AP, FIAAN; Clancy Consulting Services; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Dr. Clancy is the President of Clancy Consulting Services. With over 15 years of experience in various sectors, including government, civilian, and collegiate, she has a unique perspective on the social determinants of health, mental health, and addiction. Clancy is a certified addictions and forensic nurse, a highly sought-after speaker, best-selling author, and advocate for addiction, mental health, restorative justice, and prison reform. She holds an EMBA-H from the University of Pittsburgh, a DNP from Duquesne University, and multiple other degrees and certifications in nursing and related fields.

Peggy Compton, PhD, RN, FAAN; University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing.; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Dr. Compton is a Professor and the van Ameringen Endowed Chair in the Department of Family and Community Health at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and a member of the International Association in the Study of Pain, as well as the College on Problems of Drug Dependence. Her clinical expertise is the intersection of opioids, addiction and pain, on the phenomenon of opioid-induced hyperalgesia, as well as informed guidelines for the management of pain in persons with opioid addiction or on maintenance opioid therapy

Mariana Coronato Fernandes, PhD student at the School of Nursing of the University of São Paulo; School of Nursing, University of São Paulo; Sao Paulo, Brazil

Programa de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem. Departamento de Enfermagem Materno-Infantil e Psiquiátrica (ENP), Escola de Enfermagem da Universidade de São Paulo

Ana Vitoria Correa Lima; School of Nursing of University of São Paulo; São paulo, Brazil

Nurse graduated from Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA), Brazil. PhD student in the Postgraduate Program in Nursing in the area of Health Care at the School of Nursing of the University of São Paulo. Master’s degree in Nursing from the Postgraduate Program in Nursing in the Health Care line at the School of Nursing of the University of São Paulo (PPGE – EEUSP). Participation as an Assistant Researcher at the Integrative Neuroscience Laboratory (INL) at Southern Illinois University - Carbondale (SIUC), Illinois – USA.

Kayla Cross, MSN, MA, ARNP, PMHNP-BC; Spokane, Washington

20+ years experience working with mental health and substance use disorders. Current experience is specifically focused on addressing opioid use disorder(OUD) in inpatient and outpatient clinical practice settings. My background includes robust training in evidence-based treatments for OUD and active involvement in initiatives aimed at improving patient outcomes in this challenging area. I expanded a buprenorphine clinic at a VA Medical Center and implemented stepped OUD treatment interventions across diverse inpatient/outpatient settings. I have collaborated with multidisciplinary teams, conducted workshops, and contributed to educational programs that enhance understanding and implementation of effective strategies for managing OUD across diverse healthcare settings with vulnerable and underserved populations.

Junior Cruz, Senior Nursing Student; Lexington, Kentucky

Junior Cruz is a senior nursing student at the University of Kentucky. Junior has worked on a project aimed at involving marginalized populations, particularly people who use drugs (PWUD), in research to enhance public health outcomes. The research is centered around understanding facilitators and barriers to increasing meaningful inclusion of PWUD in advisory roles.

Ashley Davis, MSN, APRN, CARN-AP, AAHIVS; University of Maryland, Baltmore; Washington, District Of Columbia

Ashley is enrolled in the Psychiatric Mental Health DNP program at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Her research and clinical interests include examining the impact of substance use disorders on minority communities and implementing low barrier models of care with a harm-reduction lens to improve access and outcomes in vulnerable populations. Ashley is a Certified Addictions Registered Nurse-Advanced Practice (CARN-AP) as well as an HIV specialist (AAHIVS) through the American Academy of HIV Medicine. She works for the University of Maryland within the Research Initiative on Infectious Disease and Substance Use (RIIS) providing SUD, HIV, and HCV care at a harm reduction center.

Divane de Vargas; School of Nursing of University of São Paulo; São Paulo, Brazil

Full professor at the Department of Maternal-Child and Psychiatric Nursing at the School of Nursing at the University of São Paulo. Master and PhD in Psychiatric Nursing from Ribeirão Preto Nursing School at University of São Paulo. Post-doctorate in Nursing in Addictions from the New York University College of Nursing, New York. Founder and president of the Brazilian Chapter of the International Nurses Society on Addictions (2015-2020). Member of the International Nurses Society on Addictions (IntNSA) he served as a member of the board of directors of the same society during the administrations (2016-2018) & (2018-2020).

COREY DESTEFANO; NORTH JERSEY COMMUNITY RESEARCH INITIATIVE (NJCRI); NEWARK, New Jersey

As Director of Research at NJCRI, Corey has overseen studies funded by the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and clinically funded studies for pharmaceutical companies for over 20 years. Corey directs research studies focused on the recruitment and outreach for infectious disease testing, linkage to and retention in care, and research on prevention and health outcomes. Additionally, her research has focused on HIV/STI/Hepatitis C care and treatment, counseling and testing, and behavioral surveillance. As an expert in care and treatment and prevention clinical systems she provides guidance on policies, procedures, measures, methods and strategies to capture vulnerable communities.

Emmy Downs; South Coast Wellness; Simcoe, Canada

Emmy Downs is currently an Addictions Outreach Counsellor with the Addiction Mobile Outreach Team at South Coast Wellness in Simcoe, Ontario, Canada. She has 15 years of experience in addictions counselling. She has experience facilitating residential treatment, family support, community mental health, and aftercare groups. Additionally provided one on one counselling for In-house treatment and outpatient clients. Currently, she is working one on one with clients providing low barrier access to support and meeting clients where they are at. Emmy provides system navigation, education to the community, and engages the public to learn about addiction in hopes to reduce stigma.

SHEENA DUPREY, LPN; NORTH JERSEY COMMUNITY RESEARCH INITIATIVE (NJCRI); Newark, New Jersey

Sheena Duprey is an experienced licensed practical nurse with personality, genuine customer service and motivation to continue to grow and learn. She has a strong knowledge base in infectious diseases including HIV, STIs, Prevention, and Hepatitis C. She currently is the disease surveillance nurse at NJCRI in Newark, NJ, specializing in hepatitis C elimination. She has past experience with pediatrics, adult and geriatric care.

Rahwa Eyasu, APRN; University of Maryland, Baltimore; Baltimore, Maryland

Nurse Practitioner, Research Coordinator

Kayleigh Faber, MPH; University of South Florida; Tampa, Florida

Kayleigh Faber is a Ph.D. student in Behavioral & Community Sciences program at University of South Florida. She holds a B.S. in Psychology and MPH from Oklahoma State University.

Amanda Fallin-Bennett, PhD, RN; University of Kentucky College of Nursing; Lexington, Kentucky

Amanda Fallin-Bennett, PhD, RN is an Associate Professor at the University of Kentucky and a co-founder of Voices of Hope, a recovery community organization. Fallin-Bennett is a Co-investigator on both the NIDA funded Justice Community Opioid Innovation Network (JCOIN) and the HEALing Communities Study, and in those roles, she has led the dissemination of peer recovery support services in multiple counties and over 80 agencies throughout Kentucky. She also teaches courses on addiction as a chronic disorder as well as evidence based practice to undergraduate nursing students at UK.

Theresa Fay-Hillier, DrPH, MSN, PMHCNS-BC; Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Dr. Fay-Hillier is an Associate Clinical Professor at Drexel University. She earned her Doctorate in Public Health from Drexel University's School of Public Health, her Master's Degree in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Holy Family University. She is a board-certified Clinical Nurse Specialist in Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing and is also certified in completing Danger Assessments with victims of intimate partner violence (IPV). She has presented both nationally and internationally on issues related to Intimate Partner Violence, harm-reduction strategies in addressing individuals addicted to opioids, and nursing education.

Hartley Feld, PhD, RN; UK College of Nursing; Lexington, Kentucky

Hartley Feld, PhD is a nurse researcher at the University of Kentucky College of Nursing. Her research focuses on the intersections of reproductive and perinatal health, gender, autonomy, and substance use disorder. Currently, she is partnering with the recovery community to train peer recovery coaches to include a gendered lens in their work to promote reproductive autonomy as part of building recovery capital.

Alaidistania Ferreira, PhD, MsN, BsN; Federal University of Amazonas; Manaus, Brazil

Professor of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Nursing at UFAM. Member of the Study, Research, Education and Nursing Care Group in the Amazon Context (GEPECEA-CNPq). Full professor at the Nursing School of the Federal University of Amazonas (UFAM) She works as an undergraduate and postgraduate nursing professor at UFAM, in the disciplines Public Health and Mental Health Nursing.

Jordan Ferris, RN, Ph.D.; Oregon Health and Science University; WEST LINN, Oregon

Jordan Ferris, RN, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of nursing at Oregon Health and Science University, where she has worked since 2023. She has served as a professor since 2019, with a research focus on substance use disorders, particularly within the nursing profession. Jordan holds a BSN, an MSN in executive leadership, and a Ph.D. in nursing with a concentration on substance use. She was awarded a grant from Washington State University’s Alcohol and Drug Abuse Research Program to support her research, aimed at improving return-to-work policies for nurses recovering from substance use disorder.

Caroline Figueira Pereira, PhD, MSN, BSN; School of Nursing at University of São Paulo; São Paulo, Brazil

She holds a bachelor's degree from the School of Nursing of the University of São Paulo - EEUSP (2012), a master's degree (2014) and a doctorate (2019) in health sciences from the University of São Paulo, with a period at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2017-2018). She is currently Associate Professor at EEUSP, Vice-leader of the Nucleus of Studies and Research in Nursing in Addictions and Mental Health (NEPEASM), Core-Staff of the Brazilian Centre for Evidence-Based Health Care: Centre of Excellence of the JBI, president of the Brazilian chapter of the IntNSA, and non-verbal communication coach by the Paul Ekman group.

Jennifer Foreman, DNP, APRN; University of North Carolina at Greensboro; Greensboro, North Carolina

Dr. Foreman is a nurse practitioner working in Internal Medicine and Addiction Medicine. She is pursuing a PhD in Nursing at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Her research focus is harm reduction, barriers, policy, and the role of nurses. She has a DNP and MSN from Duke University. She is also the founder of Healing Hands Medical Ministry that provided free medical care to the unhoused population in Randolph County, NC.

Thomas Freese, Ph.D.; UCLA; Los Angeles, California

Thomas E. Freese, Ph.D., received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from California School of Professional Psychology in 1995. He is the Director of the UCLA Integrated Substance Use and Addiction Programs (ISAP), and Adjunct Professor in the Department of Psychiatry. He serves as Director of Training and Dissemination for the Division of Addiction Psychiatry in UCLA's School of Medicine, Co-PI of the Training and Dissemination contract with DHCS for the Recovery Incentives Program: California’s Contingency Management Benefit, and Co-Director of the SAMHSA-funded Pacific Southwest (HHS Region 9) Addictions Technology Transfer Center (PSATTC). Previously, he served as ISAP Director of Training for 20 years.

Susanne Gaines, DNP, AG-ACNP BC, CRNP, CNS, CCRN; University of Maryland School of Nursing; Baltimore, Maryland

Susanne Gaines, DNP, AG-ACNP BC, CRNP, CNS, CCRN is the APP program manager. Dr. Gaines is a board- certified adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner. She specializes in the care of managing patients medically and surgically. She completed a BSN, a MSN as an acute care clinical nurse specialist, and a Post Masters as an acute care nurse practitioner. She completed her terminal degree Doctor of Nursing Practice with her capstone project: Implementation of Palliative Care Screening Tool to identify unmet palliative care needs in solid organ patients deemed non-transplantable. Currently she is an APP inpatient and an adjunct faculty with the UMSON doctoral program.

Donna Gates; Fanshawe College; Simcoe, Canada

With almost 40 years in the Ontario public College system, Donna is a life-long learner who is passionate about meeting the educational and labour market needs of the communities we serve. She has dedicated her career to the development and delivery of quality post-secondary programming that produces talented graduates poised for entry to their respective professions.

Derrick Glymph, PhD, DNAP, CRNA, CHSE, CNE, COL., USAR, FAANA, FAAN; Duke University Nurse Anesthesia Program; Durham, North Carolina

Derrick C. Glymph, PhD, DNAP, resides in Holly Spring, NC, and serves as an Associate Professor and Clinical Education Coordinator at Duke University School of Nursing in the Nurse Anesthesia Program. He earned a PhD in Nursing Sciences from the University of South Florida and a Doctorate in Nurse Anesthesia Practice from Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Glymph's research centers on low-threshold treatment interventions and promoting health equity for individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD). With over 50 publications and significant scholarly contributions, he is deeply committed to advancing nursing science and improving care accessibility for vulnerable populations affected by OUD.

Janessa Graves, Ph.D., MPH; University of Washington; Seattle, Washington

Dr. Graves is an Associate Professor in the School of Medicine at the University of Washington. She is also the Director of the WWAMI Rural Health Research Center. Dr. Graves’ primary research focuses on inequities in access to healthcare services across geography and among historically underrepresented populations. Dr. Graves’ work informs state and federal health policies to improve access to and quality of healthcare services for high-needs populations and will ultimately reduce health disparities for rural and underserved communities.

Jason Gregg, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC; University of Cincinnati; Cincinnati, Ohio

Doctoral-prepared advanced practice nurse dual certified in Family Practice and Psychiatric Mental Health. Academic experiences includes 4 years teaching in an ADN program along with 14 years at the University level in graduate programs. The graduate level timeline is augmented by administrative work as program coordinator of the FNP MSN Distance Learning Program. In addition, my administrative experience has included interim oversight of the FNP MSN Residential and FNP Post-Masters Certificate Programs. Scholarship, service, and clinical practice expertise center on rural populations, substance use disorders, and mental health including numerous peer-reviewed publications and regional to international presentations in these areas.

Taylor Hansen, MSW, LCSW; Barnes-Jewish Hospital; Saint Louis, Missouri

Taylor Hansen was hired as a social worker at Barnes Jewish Hospital in January of 2021, assigned to Medicine floors. Prior to this, she obtained her MSW from Saint Louis University and became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in 2024. Since beginning on Medicine, she has worked in the outpatient OB/GYN, Wound, and CPAP clinics and Emergency Department, and has been the CD SW for the past year. Taylor is passionate about meeting patients where they are at and in collaboration with them, providing wrap-around support. Outside of work, Taylor enjoys Pilates, Netflix, and dinners with friends.

Elaine Hardin, MSW, LCSW; Barnes-Jewish Hospital; Saint Louis, Missouri

Elaine Hardin is a dedicated Social Work Supervisor at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, where she has been a vital part of the healthcare team for 9 years. With over 18 years of experience in social work, Elaine has developed a deep expertise in supporting patients and their families through challenging times. She is passionate about advocacy, ensuring that all voices are heard and respected in the healthcare system. Elaine’s leadership inspires her team to provide compassionate care, and she is committed to fostering a collaborative environment that enhances patient well-being. Outside of work, she enjoys running and training for various races and spending time with her family.

Samantha Hartle, BSN, RN, CARN, CRS; Clarion, Pennsylvania

Samantha Hartle is a bachelor's-prepared RN championing perinatal addiction recovery in rural Pennsylvania. Born and raised in Philadelphia, she now works as an addictions nurse for the UPMC Magee-Womens Pregnancy and Recovery Center at a satellite site in Clarion. Her unconventional recovery from substance use disorder fuels her commitment to providing compassionate, individualized care. Sam brings a wealth of experience across various settings including behavioral health, dual diagnosis, inpatient obstetrics, addition medicine, and public health. A vocal advocate for all recovery pathways, Sam was awarded the “Recovery Advocate of the Year” award at the 2024 Region 7 Recovery Hub Conference.

Katharine Hartleb, B.S.; Medical University of South Carolina; Charleston, South Carolina

Katharine Hartleb is a Lead Therapeutic Assistant at Medical University of South Carolina's Institute of Psychiatry. She has been a Therapeutic Assistant for 2 years, and previously worked as a women's recovery coach at a substance use disorder facility. She graduated from the University of South Carolina with a B.S. in Psychology with a minor in counseling. She is a young adult presenter for the National Alliance of Mental Illness. Katharine completed the Tobacco Treatment Specialist training in 2023 and the Motivational Interviewing training in 2024. In her spare time she writes articles for WebMD's Depression patient blogs.

Todd Harvey, MSN, RN, CARN; UPMC; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Todd Harvey is a Senior Clinician, 12E, at UPMC Mercy, providing nursing management to an acute progressive care unit of 42 inpatient general medicine beds. The unit specializes in patients with medical and behavioral health needs. Prior Todd was the Programmatic Nurse Specialist, Addiction Medicine, at UPMC Mercy, providing substance use disorder clinical education to all staff as well as providing consultation care for patients with substance use disorder throughout the hospital. Todd received his Masters of Science in Nursing Education from Capella University in 2023 and Bachelors of Science in Nursing from the University of Pittsburgh in 2018.

Tanya Hauck, MD, PhD, FRCPC; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health; Toronto, Canada

Dr. Tanya Hauck is an addictions psychiatrist and clinician scientist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto. Her research and clinical interests include the epidemiology of addictions and addictions psychiatry in Ontario and stimulant use disorders

Emily Hennessy, MPhil (Health Promotion); PhD; Harvard Medical School; Massachusetts General Hospital; Boston, Massachusetts

Dr. Emily A. Hennessy is an Associate Director at the Recovery Research Institute and at the National Center on Youth Prevention, Treatment and Recovery. She is also Assistant Professor in Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Hennessy was a US-Norway Fulbright Scholar where she completed an M.Phil. in Health Promotion. She completed her Ph.D. in Community Research and Action at Vanderbilt University and her postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Connecticut. Her research examines health behavior change among adolescents with an emphasis on substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery. This work is funded by a K01 from the NIAAA.

Thomas Holt, PhD; Michigan State University; East Lansing, Michigan

Thomas J. Holt is a Professor in the School of Criminal Justice at Michigan State University. His research focuses on computer hacking, malware, and the role of the Internet in facilitating all manner of crime and deviance. His work has been published in various journals including Crime and Delinquency, Deviant Behavior, the Journal of Criminal Justice, and Youth and Society

Keisha House, DNP, APRN-FPA, FNP-BC; Rush University Medical Center; Chicago, Illinois

Keisha N. House has her DNP, APRN-FPA, and FNP-BC with more than fifteen years of nursing experience. She is currently operating as an Advanced Practice Provider with RUSH Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences as well as the Assistant Director of Rush's Substance Use Disorder Center of Excellence, RUSH ECHO Fellowship Programs wherein she supports and guides the necessary avenues of education for providers and prescribers for them to be better equipped to treat their patients with Opioid Use Disorder.

Tanya Howell, MSN; Cornell Scott Hill Health Center, South Central Rehabilitation Center; New Haven, Connecticut

Tanya A. Howell, a Masters prepared Registered Nurse and a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Candidate; is currently the nursing manager of South-Central Rehabilitation Center in New Haven, CT, where she oversees 60 healthcare professionals in providing in-patient withdrawal management services and out-patient Methadone services to patients with dual diagnoses. She is a 20-year retired Army Veteran who proudly served in Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2003 to 2005. Amongst multiple prestigious and professional organizations, Tanya is a member of the American Nurses Association and The International League of Muslim Women where she serves as the Health Officer for the Northeast Region.

Adrian Jugdoyal, RGN, RMN, NMP, TCH, FHEA, FIAAN, FRSA, FRSPH; Brunel University; Uxbridge, United Kingdom

Adrian is an adult and mental health nurse practitioner and non-medical prescriber. He is currently a full-time academic .. He is the current president of the UK IntNSA chapter and the President-Elect of the Global Board of the International Nurses Society on Addictions. He is on the education committee for the Medical Council on Alcohol, where he promotes scientific advancement and SUD education in the healthcare curriculum. He has contributed to the National Clinical Guidelines for the treatment of alcoholic liver disease and the assessment and treatment interventions for alcohol use disorder.

Brayden Kameg, PhD, DNP, PMHNP-BC; University of Pittsburgh; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Dr. Brayden Kameg currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Nursing in the Department of Health and Community Systems, where she coordinates the psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) program. Dr. Kameg’s academic interests include integrating substance use and mental-health-related competencies across undergraduate and graduate programs. She has received extramural funding through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and the National Institute on Drug Abuse. This funding has supported her work which seeks to improve the ability of both nurses and nurse practitioners to meet the mental and behavioral healthcare needs of the populations that they serve.

Donna Kazemi, RN, PhD, FIAAN; College of Nursing; Columbia, South Carolina

Dr. Donna Kazemi, PhD, RN, FIAAN, has built a noteworthy scholarship program in applied and clinical research, focusing on addictive behaviors among high-risk populations. She played an instrumental role in the development of ways to assess, treat, and prevent substance-induced disorders among vulnerable populations. Her research promotes a multifaceted integrated approach that addresses the impact of high-risk addictive behavior on the individual and the community. These efforts have contributed to an understanding of at-risk substance use and associated consequences among Adolescents and Young adults.

Jennifer Key Foreman, DNP, AGNP-C, WHNP-BC; University of North Carolina at Greensboro; Greensboro, North Carolina

Dr. Foreman is currently a nurse practitioner working in Internal Medicine and Addiction Medicine. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Nursing from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Her research interests are opioid use disorder, stigma surround drug use, and nurses’ role in harm reduction.

Kelly Kokus, DNP, NP-PHC, FNP-BC, MScN, BScN(Hons), FIAAN; South Coast Wellness; Simcoe, Canada

Dr. Kelly Kokus is a primary care nurse practitioner, board-certified family nurse practitioner and doctor of nursing practice. She currently works at South Coast Wellness in Simcoe, Ontario, Canada on a mobile addiction outreach team providing primary and mental health care. She is also an associate professor at Fanshawe College in the practice nursing program and personal support worker programs. Dr. Kokus is passionate about providing low barrier, trauma informed, evidence based mental health and addictions care in rural communities. She currently sits on the Board of Directors for the International Society of Nurses on Addictions and the Nurse Practitioner Association of Ontario.

Abukari Kwame, BA, MPhil, MPhil, PhD; University of Saskatchewan; Prince Albert, Canada

Dr Abukari Kwame is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan, Canada. His research focuses on patient-centered care and communication, health communication, medical anthropology, language acquisition, and qualitative and Indigenous research methods. Dr Kwame is also expanding his research program into substance addiction, mental health, HIV/AIDS, and homelessness using a community-based participatory approaches with the population of focus being international students, immigrants, and Indigenous Peoples, and other vulnerable populations in Canada

Erika Leon, PhD, MSN, BSN; School of Nursing -University of São Paulo; São Paulo, Brazil

Adjunct professor in the Department of Applied Nursing at the Nursing School of the Federal University of Minas Gerais. Specialist in research into alcohol and other drugs (CICAD/EERP), Master's and PhD in health sciences from the Nursing School of the University of São Paulo (Department of Maternal, Child and Psychiatric Nursing); Post-doctorate in nursing in addictions with funding from the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES). Vice-president of the Brazilian Chapter of the International Nurses Society on Addictions (2024-2028).

Madeleine Lepore, DNP PMHNP-BC; University of Pittsburgh; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Maddie Lepore is a nurse practitioner specializing in psychiatric care and substance use treatment. She works at Western Psychiatric Hospital in the Narcotic Addiction Treatment Program and Psychiatric Emergency Services, and at Healing Bridges, a rural mental health clinic. As an Assistant Professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, she contributes to nursing education, reviews manuscripts for nursing journals, and supports critical incident stress management for health care providers. Holding a Doctorate in Nursing Practice, her research focuses on policy reform, advocating for harm reduction and syringe decriminalization, with a strong commitment to improving psychiatric and addiction care throughout the lifespan.

EMILY LEVAGGI, CPhT; NORTH JERSEY COMMUNITY RESEARCH INITIATIVE (NJCRI); Newark, New Jersey

Emily Levaggi, Program Manager of Hepatitis C Elimination Program, 340B and Specialty Medications at North Jersey Community Research Initiative (NJCRI), has over 16 years of experience in the healthcare industry with specific knowledge in 340B program operations, advocacy, and compliance procedures. She has extensive knowledge of the process for patients with Hepatitis C to access and complete treatment as well as prevalent experience working as a liaison between the patient, provider, contract pharmacy teams, insurance representatives, and third-party administrator personnel to ensure each patient is taken care of, while also confirming each claim is accurately processed and qualified, if appropriate.

Maureen Levine, PhD, ABPP; Central Michigan University; Mt Pleasant, Michigan

Dr Maureen Levine, Professor Emeritus, Central Michigan University, Clinical Neuropsychology, Neuropsychologist, Research areas focus on psychophysiological parameters involved in processing Biosensory memory tasks, application of psychophysiology in clinical neuropsychology, Addiction science.

Laura Lewis, PhD, LCSW; University at Buffalo, The State University of New York; Buffalo, New York

Dr. Laura Lewis is a Clinical Associate Professor and Assistant Dean for Global Partnerships at the University at Buffalo School of Social Work. Dr. Lewis’ work has focused on expanding field opportunities for students regionally and internationally, and on developing international partnerships related to teaching and research. She is also co-director of the School’s Institute for Sustainable Global Engagement. Dr. Lewis was the recipient of a Fulbright Scholar Award in International Education in 2018, and a Council on Social Work Education Leadership Award in 2012.

KEVIN LEYDEN, BSN, RN; NORTH JERSEY COMMUNITY RESEARCH INITIATIVE (NJCRI); Newark, New Jersey

Kevin Leyden, BSN, RN has been active in addictions nursing for over seven years. He is a member of the International Nurses Society on Addictions (IntNSA) and has been a Certified Addictions Registered Nurse. He was the recipient of the 2020 Davida Coady Gorham Medical Professional of the Year Award, presented by NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals. Mr. Leyden currently serves as the Director of Hepatitis Services and Research Nurse Coordinator at NJCRI, North Jersey Community Research Initiative. He has worked at multiple levels of addiction treatment and currently focuses on the infectious diseases associated with substance use.

Shaoyu LI, PhD; UNC Charlotte; Charlotte, North Carolina

Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at University of North Carolina at Charlotte. I obtained my Ph.D. degree in Statistics and Quantitative Biology at Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI. My main research area is statistical genetics and genomics. My current research focus is developing statistical and computational methodologies to quantify the proportion of cellular compositional effects in the total variation of bulk tissue gene expression and understand cell-type specific transcriptional changes that are associated with human diseases. Conducts research in novel statistical design and analysis methods for mobile Health studies.

Jessica Lima de Oliveira Pinheiro Gaia, RN; School of Nursing at University of São Paulo; Ceará, Brazil

Nurse from the Regional University of Cariri (URCA). Master's student in Nursing at the Postgraduate Programme in Nursing at the University of São Paulo School of Nursing (EE-USP). Postgraduate in Mental Health Nursing from Faculdade Holística/DNACOFEN. Member of the Clinical, Care and Health Management Research Group (GPCLIN/URCA/CNPq). Member of the Centre for Nursing Studies and Research in Addictions and Mental Health (NEPEASM/EEUSP).

Dawn Lindsay, PhD; American Society of Addiction Medicine; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Dr. Dawn Lindsay is the Director of Clinical Policy at the American Society of Addiction Medicine, where she leads the development of clinical practice guidelines and oversees clinical guideline methodology. Prior to her role at ASAM, she served at the Institute for Research, Education, and Training in Addictions (IRETA), where she now serves on the board of directors.

Virna Little, PsyD, LCSW; Moore, South Carolina

Dr. Virna Little is the Co-founder of Concert Health, a behavioral health Collaborative Care organization spanning 19 states and is the co-founder of Zero Overdose. Dr. Little is a nationally and internationally known speaker in integrating primary care, behavioral health, and developing sustainable integrated delivery systems. She is an expert in Collaborative Care and has been providing technical assistance, implementations and training for more than two decades. Dr. Little has been recognized by Society for Social Work Leaders in HealthCare, National Association of Social Workers , Community Health Center Network of New York, New York Suicide Prevention Committee and others.

Adrial A. Lobelo, DNP, PMHNP-BC; Adelphi University; Garden City, New York

Adrial A. Lobelo, DNP, PMHNP-BC is the interim director of the psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner graduate program at Adelphi University in Garden City, NY. He also is the co-director of the Interdisciplinary Education and Training Experience (IDEATE), a collaborative learning fellowship for nursing and social work students. IDEATE was nationally recognized for innovation when it won the American Association of University Administrators’ John L. Blackburn Award. He is past president of a state-wide professional nursing association. Under his leadership, he was the first to organize and produce lively continuing education events involving performance artists, comedians, visual artists, and musicians.

Geoffrey Maina, RN, PhD; University of Saskatchewan; Prince Albert, Canada

Dr. Geoffrey Maina is an Associate Professor at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada. His program or research focuses on improving health outcomes of people experiencing diverse forms of marginalization i.e. people living with HIV, mental illnesses and addiction and victims of domestic violence. He utilizes diverse community-based research methodologies rooted in a social justice framework to address inequalities that hinder individuals and communities from realizing their full potential. He is passionate about researching the impact of addiction on families. He is currently engaged in research with migrants and ethnic minorities on substance use and those who co-parent with partners who have alcohol use disorder.

Kimberly Martini, LMSW, CPC, QIDP; Saginaw Valley State University; Saginaw, Michigan

Kimberly Martini, LMSW, CPC, QIDP is the Project Director for the MI Babies project at Saginaw Valley State University where she provides coordination of prevention and treatment services for rural providers to persons with substance misuse/substance use disorder. Kimberly also leads the development and implementation of the Perinatal SUD Project ECHO. She has a Master of Social Work degree from Wayne State University. Her past work experience includes substance use disorder and mental health prevention and treatment. Kimberly has a passionate commitment to mental health and substance use disorder stigma reduction, prevention, treatment, and recovery.

Samantha Makiwa, MSc Nursing, BSc Hons, MW, RGN, PgCert Addiction Studies, FFMNRCSI; Dublin Simon Community; Dublin, Ireland

Senior Clinical Nurse Manager at Dublin Simon Community’s Treatment Services for people experiencing homelessness with dual diagnosis and substance use disorders. She is an experienced nurse, midwife, nurse leader and mentor who has been working in the health sector for over 21 years, six of which have been in the homeless addiction treatment sector. She is focused on creating a safe work environment fostered by knowledge and expertise to achieve the optimal treatment outcomes.

Emily Matthews, BS; University of Pittsburgh; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Emily Matthews has served as project coordinator for a variety of substance-used-related grants and educational programs at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing since 2015.

Brandy Mechling, PhD, APRN, PMHCNS-BC, FNAP; University of North Carolina Wilmington; Wilmington, North Carolina

Dr. Brandy Mechling is a full professor in the School of Nursing at University of North Carolina Wilmington. She earned her PhD in Nursing from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2013. Her main area of expertise (27 years) is psychiatric-mental health nursing in both acute and outpatient settings, working with child, adolescent, and adult populations suffering from mental illness and substance use disorders and their families. She is a certified clinical nurse specialist; conducting psychotherapy with children, adolescents, and young adults. Her research areas include: adolescent and young adult risk-taking behaviors, parental mental illness and SUD and the impact on psychosocial well-being in their children.

Ann Mitchell, PhD, RN, FIAAN; University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Dr. Ann Mitchell is a Professor of Nursing at the University of Pittsburgh. She is currently the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Addictions Nursing. Since 2008 I have been Project Director on 3 HRSA grants and Project Coordinator on 1 HRSA grant, all related to screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment for alcohol and other drug use. I have been Project Director on 2 CDC grants related to alcohol screening and brief intervention with the goal of preventing alcohol exposed pregnancies, and ultimately fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. I have also been Project Director on 1 SAMHSA grant to integrate SBIRT into the NP curriculum.

Trevor Moffitt, PhD; Lexington, Kentucky

Trevor has served as the board liaison for the Survivors Union of the Bluegrass since its inception in August 2022. Trevor’s work is dedicated to finding ways to meaningfully involve PWUD in research, most often through advisory board work.

Josh Moran Jimenez, DNP, APRN, PMHNP, CARN, CPHQ, CPAHA, NE-BC; Medical University of South Carolina; Charleston, South Carolina

As a DNP prepared Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Dr. Josh Moran Jimenez’s clinical training has included Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, ketamine therapy, home health, outpatient private practice, inpatient, telehealth, and rural mental health. In 2021, he became a certified addiction registered nurse and in 2024 a certified professional American Heart Association in tobacco treatment. As a certified nurse executive and healthcare quality professional, he has spear-headed initiatives in quality, safety, and well-being that have been presented at the National Association for Healthcare Quality conference, the American Psychiatric Nursing Association, and the National Summit on Promoting Well-being and Resilience in Healthcare Professionals.

Dana Murphy Parker, MS, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP, FIAAN; University of Colorado College of Nursing; Aurora, Colorado

Dana Murphy-Parker is an ANCC Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and an ANCB Certified Addictions Registered Nurse – Advanced Practice. Dana is an alumnus of the University of Colorado and obtained a MS as a Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialist in 1999. Dana has been practicing and prescribing medications for patients who have mental health disorders as well as substance use disorders since 2008. Her practice has focused on the knowledge that many patients who have substance use disorders also have co-existing mental health disorders and both medical conditions need to be assessed and treated together

Angela Nash, PhD, APRN, CPNP-PC, PMHS, CARN-AP, FIAAN; Center for Behavioral Emergency Addictions Research, University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHealth)-Houston; Houston, Texas

Dr. Nash is an Associate Professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center's (UTHealth) Cizik School of Nursing in Houston, Texas. Dr. Nash is a PNP with certifications in primary care, mental-behavioral health, and addiction. Her areas of expertise include addressing pediatric mental-behavioral health issues in primary care, and promoting addiction recovery for adolescents. A pediatric nurse for 44 years and PNP for 27 years, she has worked over a decade with youth who misuse substances and currently treats adolescents with opioid addictions at the UTHealth Houston Emergency Opioid Engagement System (HEROES).

Lea Nelligan, BSN, RN; Massachusetts General Hospital; Boston, Massachusetts

Lea is an Attending Nurse on the inpatient psychiatric unit where she has worked for the last four years. As the Attending Nurse she is integrated in the care of the entire milieu, and provides real time support for new and emerging nurses in the care progression of patients. She also engages in active advocacy with the interdisciplinary team as a part of her role as the Attending Nurse. Lea is currently enrolled in a Doctorate of Nursing Practice program specializing in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing.

Chrisann Newransky, MSW, PhD; Adelphi University; Garden City, New York

Chrisann Newransky, MSW, PhD is an Associate Professor at Adelphi University School of Social Work in New York. Dr. Newransky has over 15 years of experience in evaluating federally funded community-based mental health programs and behavioral health workforce interventions. She is passionate about reducing inequities in access to behavioral health care through system improvements, education, and the incorporation of the voice and perspectives of people served. As a social work educator, she is determined to ignite future practitioners to make change at the individual, community and policy levels.

Nancy A. Nichols, RN, BScN, MPH; South Coast Wellness; Simcoe, Canada

Nancy A. Nichols is a Clinical Service Manager at South Coast Wellness in Simcoe Ontario, directing the Specialized and Intensive Geriatric, Telemedicine, Addiction Mobile Outreach Team (AMOT) and Addiction Programs along with Resources for HOPE. Previously a health protection Director in Public Health, with years of management experience in health promotion for substance, mental health, and chronic disease. Nancy is an RN experienced in community mental health counselling, case management and outreach, and advocate for harm reduction and safer substance supply strategies. She continues to advocate for community based mental health wellness programming, to improve life satisfaction and function while reducing complex social harms.

Nichole Nidey, PhD; University of Iowa; Iowa City, Iowa

I am a maternal and child health epidemiologist, grounded in social epidemiology with a commitment to improving the health and life outcomes for underserved and at-risk families. My research is focused on understanding the intergenerational effects of maternal adverse childhood events, perinatal mental health and maternal substance use. My long-term goal is to develop and discover interventions to mitigate the adverse intergenerational effects of these conditions and experiences. I started the EMPOWER (empowering mothers, providers and others to weigh in as experts in research) project which is a collaborative that includes persons with lived experiences of substance use during pregnancy, clinicians, researchers, and community stakeholders.

Marina Nolli Bittencourt, Ph.D, MsN, BsN; Federal University of Mato Grosso; Araguaya, Brazil

Nurse with a PhD in Sciences from the Nursing Graduate Program at the University of São Paulo (USP) School of Nursing, with a research internship at New York University (NYU). Associate Professor in the Nursing program at the Federal University of Mato Grosso (UFTM) Araguaia campus, and permanent faculty member of the Nursing Graduate Program at UFMT. Member of the International Network of Nursing Schools for the Prevention of Drug Abuse. Conducts research in the areas of Psychometrics and Child-Adolescent Mental Health, focusing on mental and socio-emotional health promotion, and the determinants related to alcohol and other drug use among children and youth.

Devon Noonan, PhD, MPH, FNP-BC, CARN, FIAAN; Duke University; Durham, North Carolina

Dr. Noonan is an Associate Professor at Duke School of Nursing. Her research focuses on understanding the intersection of prevention science, rural public health and advocacy. Her research impact has been in developing and evaluating prevention programs, many with a focus on substance use prevention, using community engaged research approaches with rural communities. This research has led to the development of a portfolio of interventions including digital interventions, many with a focus on tobacco cessation. She has served as the PI for multiple federally funded clinical trials to develop and test prevention interventions in partnership with rural communities.

Maureen Oscadal; University of Washington; Seattle, Washington

Maureen is a current nurse care manager working with patients. She leads many statewide activities providing technical assistance and training to nurses.

Muna Osman, PhD; St. Paul University; Ottawa, Canada

Muna Osman holds a doctorate in psychology from the University of Ottawa with a focus on equitable research and clinical care for immigrant and racialized communities experiencing trauma and psychological distress. With over 10 years of experience, her primary focus is on participatory research approaches with Black and Indigenous communities to answer timely questions of equity and access. Using her training and lived experience, Muna, supports racialized people navigating racial trauma and substance use across her personal and community networks.

Tonja Padgett, DNP, RN, ACNS-BC, CNE; Indiana University School of Nursing; Indianapolis, Indiana

Dr. Padgett’s scholarship involves engaging students in active learning, particularly. Her teaching is based on the philosophy of constructivism. This pedagogy assumes that the self-motivated learner has a rich background of experiences and that the faculty members are content experts who facilitate active learning strategies. She has implemented active learning techniques in the classroom. She has also made significant contributions to addiction education at the IUSON by leading the threading of critical content through our concept-based curriculum and disseminating nursing knowledge related to prevention and treatment of addiction from a nursing perspective via publications and presentations.

Ruthanne Palumbo, DNP, RN, CARN, CNE; University of North Carolina Wilmington; Wilmington, North Carolina

Dr. Ruthanne Palumbo has extensive experience in nursing and nursing education. She has worked in numerous medical-surgical settings and in addiction nursing. She has taught online, in the classroom, and in clinical settings for fifteen years at the undergraduate and graduate levels. She holds certifications in nursing education (CNE) since 2012 and addictions nursing (CARN) since 2020. To date, her research and publications have revolved around evidence-based practice interventions in addiction nursing. The underlying theme is the desire to help people dealing with the psychological effects of challenging life events; specifically substance use disorders that impact their well-being.

Joanne Parhiala, BSN, RN-CARN; Massachusetts General Hospital; Boston, Massachusetts

Joanne is a CARN certified registered nurse on an inpatient psychiatric unit at an academic medical center where she has functioned as the Resource Nurse for the last 25 years. She has extensive experience in management of psychiatric illnesses across the lifespan. She also works as an expert witness in civil lawsuits regarding standards of care for patients with substance use disorders. On the inpatient unit, Joanne also provides valuable ongoing education on the nursing care for patients with substance use disorders.

Rhonda Parker, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC, CARN-NP; Elkins, West Virginia

Rhonda is the owner of Leona Health and Wellness/Mountain Healing in Elkins, WV. At Leona Health, Rhonda assesses, diagnoses, treats, and evaluates patients with mental health, physical health challenges, and focuses on root causes. Rhonda provides education, disease prevention, therapeutic techniques, and utilizes behavior modification principles. In addition to Rhonda owning and managing her own healthcare clinic, Rhonda is also the MAT Medical Director at Barbour Community Health Association in Belington, WV. Rhonda developed and implemented the Medication Assisted Treatment program for Barbour Community Health.

Archana Paul, RN, MScN, CCNE, CCSNE; York University; Toronto, Canada

Archana Paul is an Associate Professor in the School of Nursing at York University. She also works as a registered nurse in the mental health crisis unit, utilizing leading-edge technology and psychotherapeutic interventions grounded in evidence-based practice while ensuring client safety. She is inspired daily by the work nurses undertake with an increasingly complex acute population requiring evidence-based interventions, thus producing positive outcomes. She is motivated to shape and harness future nursing leaders to demonstrate clinical excellence and positive patient outcome.

Paige Pickerl, MSW, LCSW; Rush University Medical Center; Chicago, Illinois

Paige Pickerl is an LCSW who has been working predominantly in the field of Community Behavioral Healthcare Research for seven years. Her primary interventions have focused on health literacy for persons with SMI, Community Narcan interventions, MOUD training for prescribers, and building Narcan education and literacy for music venues and restaurants. Her most recent authorship on a publication is titled Building a statewide network of MOUD expertise using tiered ECHO® mentoring opportunities in the Journal of Drug and Alcohol Dependence.

Kim Picket, PhD, RN; Clemson University; Clemson, South Carolina

Dr. Pickett teaches Advanced Physical Assessment. A Family Nurse Practitioner with 30 years of clinical nursing experience, Dr. Pickett also holds a board certification in Advanced Diabetes Management through the American Association of Diabetes Educators. She currently maintains an active NP practice with Medical Group of the Carolinas Senior Health and St. Luke's Free Medical Clinic in Spartanburg, SC. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau. Research interests include health promotion in patients who live with Type 1 and 2 diabetes, tobacco cessation in patients with cancer, psychosocial determinants of health, health promotion in marginalized populations.

Lauren Presley, MSN, APRN, CPNP-PC; Vanderbilt; Nashville, Tennessee

Lauren Presley, MSN, APRN, CPNP-PC is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in the Newborn Nursery at Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt. She completed her undergraduate and master's degrees from Vanderbilt University. Lauren currently serves as a pediatric lead for Firefly, a multidisciplinary outpatient program that provides services for women with substance use disorders and their opioid-exposed infants. She previously served as Clinical Director for Team Hope, an interdisciplinary team that provided evidence-based care for opioid-exposed infants, as well as Team Lead for the Tennessee Initiative for Perinatal Quality Care’s Opioid Exposed Newborn and Optimizing Care of the Late Preterm Infant projects.

Steve Proctor, Ph.D.; Thriving Mind South Florida; Miami, Florida

Steven Proctor, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and founder of PRO Health Group—a research and outcomes monitoring company. He is also Senior Program Director for Health Outcomes at Thriving Mind South Florida, a non-profit safety net payer in Miami. He holds faculty appointments at the rank of Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at Florida International University's college of medicine, and Visiting Research Scholar in the Department of Mental Health Law and Policy at University of South Florida. He specializes in the evaluation of addiction treatment outcomes and has published extensively in this area.

Jeffery Ramirez, PhD, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP, CNE, FANP, FAANP, FAAN; Gonzaga Unversity; Spokane, Washington

I am an experienced PMHNP treating veterans with both psychiatric and substance use disorders. I have over 20 years of experience providing care and treatment to people in both inpatient and outpatient settings. I am a CARN-AP, fellow in the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and in the American Academy of Nursing. I am currently the Director of Graduate Programs at Gonzaga University and practice part time at the VAMC.

Jill Rathburn, BSN, RN, PMH-BC, BCC, PCRC; DynamiCare Health; Nashville, Tennessee

Jill Rathburn, BSN, RN, PMH-BC, BCC, PCRC is a psychiatric mental health nurse and board-certified coach specializing in substance use disorder, behavioral health, and trauma-informed care. Jill focuses on lifestyle behavioral change—a field grounded in scientifically validated interventions that improve SUD treatment outcomes but suffers from a substantial research-to-practice gap that nursing leadership could help mitigate. Jill authored a feature cover article in NURSING2022, titled "Destigmatizing alcohol use disorder (AUD) among nurses" which received the APEX award for mental health. Jill has published blogs, produced webinars, and guested on podcasts on SUD, holistic health strategies, and behavioral health.

Phyllis Raynor, PhD, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP, APRN; University of South Carolina; Columbia, South Carolina

I am an assistant professor in the College of Nursing at the University of South Carolina. My clinical training is as an advanced-practice psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP), completing my PhD in Nursing in 2016. My certifications as PMHNP and certified advanced practice addictions nurse (CARN-AP) provide a strong foundation for conducting research pertaining to primary mental health and substance use disorder treatment (SUD) for individuals at risk across the lifespan. My primary research is focused on leveraging digital interventions to support parenting and long-term recovery from SUD for parenting people using community engaged research approaches.

Khary Rigg, Ph.D.; University of South Florida; Tampa, Florida

Khary Rigg, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mental Health Law & Policy at University of South Florida. He is a behavioral health services researcher with over 20 years of experience studying substance use disorders. He earned his Ph.D. from University of Miami and completed a post-doctoral fellowship in health services research at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. He has published over 75 peer-reviewed articles on a wide variety of addiction related topics (mostly around opioid misuse/overdose) and has received over 3 million dollars of grant funding for his research.

Lindi Rigg, M.A., LMHC; Regent University; Tampa, Florida

Lindi Rigg is a licensed mental health counselor and a Ph.D. student in Counseling Education & Supervision. She holds a B.A. in psychology/criminology from University of Miami and a M.A. in mental health counseling from Liberty University.

Roni Robson da Silva, BSN, RN; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Nurse graduated from the Veiga de Almeida University in Rio de Janeiro in 2021. Master's in Health Sciences from the Postgraduate Programme in Nursing (PPGE) at the University of São Paulo School of Nursing - EEUSP, Specialist in Mental and Psychiatric Health and Occupational Nursing. Member of the Centre for Nursing Studies and Research in Addictions and Mental Health (NEPEASM-CNPq).

Axel Rodriguez Rosa, MD; Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center; Hershey, Pennsylvania

Axel Rodríguez Rosa, MD, is an experienced physician with specialized training in addiction medicine from Penn State College of Medicine. His residency training in internal medicine provided a solid foundation in managing patients with complex medical conditions, while additional experience in critical care and general surgery provides him with a holistic understanding in his clinical perspective. Dr. Rosa’s research experience on topics ranging from quality improvement and addiction medicine, along with his focus in medical cannabis, equips him with a comprehensive understanding to educate healthcare professionals on the endocannabinoid system and medical cannabis applications.

Elana Rosenthal, MD; University of Maryland School of Medicine; Baltimore, Maryland

Elana Rosenthal, MD is an infectious diseases specialist and Associate Professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. She is the Associate Director for Clinical Research in the Division of Clinical Care and Research at the Institute of Human Virology. She co-directs the Research Initiative in Infectious Diseases and Substance Use, where her work focuses on the intersection of infectious diseases and substances, as well as gender and sexual minorities.

Scott Sabella, PhD, CRC; University at Buffalo, The State University of New York; Buffalo, New York

Scott Sabella is an associate professor in the Department of Counseling, School and Educational Psychology (CSEP) within UB’s Graduate School of Education. His primary research agenda focuses on counselor supervision, program management, and leadership within public rehabilitation agencies. Additionally, he has recently authored articles related to the removal of barriers to community participation of people with disabilities and the support needs of people with brain injuries. His clinical counseling interests include group work, motivational interviewing, and experiential counseling strategies and techniques to enhance quality of life for individuals with disabilities.

Roman Salwa, LCSW; Adelphi University; Garden City, New York

Roman Salwa is a licensed clinical social worker and a PhD student in the social work program at Adelphi University. He has 12 years of clinical experience in hospital social work, outpatient mental health, and teletherapy. Roman works from the strength-based perspective utilizing modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, Motivational Interview, Focusing Psychotherapy, and EMDR (Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing). He is a certified EMDR therapist and Consultant In Training. Roman's dissertation is on social work and spirituality and its applications across the various social work roles.

Melissa Santomero Damin, RN; São Paulo, Brazil

Undergraduated student at School of Nursing at University of São Paulo

Jussara Santos, PhD, MSN, BSN; Universidade de Guarulhos; São Paulo, Brazil

Professor at the University of Guarulhos - UNG. She has a degree in Nursing from the State University of Campinas - UNICAMP (2007), a specialism in psychiatric and mental health nursing from the Federal University of São Paulo - UNIFESP (2010), a master's degree in health sciences from the University of São Paulo - USP (2013) and a doctorate in sciences, with a CNPq scholarship, from the University of São Paulo (2018) with a sandwich doctorate period at Bangor University, United Kingdom with a CAPES scholarship. Post-doctorate from the School of Nursing - University of São Paulo USP, without funding.

Rachel Sasser, DNP-s, MSN, CRNP, PMHNP-BC; University of Alabama at Birmingham; Birmingham, Alabama

Rachel Sasser is a board-certified psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP-BC) and instructor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing, and also serves in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. Specializing in veterans' and military mental health, she has presented extensively and published on this topic and developed national competency standards for veterans' care. After completing a post-masters PMHNP residency at the Birmingham VA, she now continues her faculty practice there. Her DNP project focuses on treating opioid use disorder, and she volunteers as a mental health consultant with the Central Alabama Veterans Collaborative.

Victoria Sattler, RN, PhD, MN, SANE-A; Spokane, Washington

Dr. Sattler has extensive experience working with Registered Nurses who are returning to work under monitoring through her work with Washington State University's RN Refresher Program.

Ronald Schnese, Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist; The LGBTQIA+ Center of Southern Nevada, President of State of Nevada Association of Addiction Professionals (NV chapter of NAADAC); Las Vegas, Nevada

Ronald Schnese is a Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist and person in long term recovery. He is currently in school pursuing his bachelor’s in social work and has plans to become a Political Analyst after he attains his masters. Ronald has lived experience in many areas and since finding recovery, has honed his interests to help those who are still caught in the grips of homelessness, substance use, and other cycles of maladaptive behaviors. Ronald currently works for the LGBTQIA+ Center of Southern Nevada within their Overdose Data to Action grant and sits on multiple boards and coalitions.

Victoria L. Selby, PhD, CRNP-PMH, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP; University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore; Baltimore, Maryland

Dr. Victoria L. Selby, PhD, CRNP-PMH, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP, is a nurse specializing in substance use disorders, addictive behaviors, women's mental health, and nurse wellness. Her research includes behavioral education programs and nursing wellness, highlighted by nationwide surveys. Dr. Selby publishes in peer-reviewed journals and presents at conferences. She is currently studying the impact of Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) on substance use disorder treatment to guide policy changes. As a faculty member and program director for the Substance Use and Addictions Nursing Certificate at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, she is committed to advancing nursing through research and education.

Louise Sheehan, MSN, RN, PMH-BC; Massachusetts General Hospital; Boston, Massachusetts

Louise is a Nursing Practice Specialist (NPS) on an inpatient medical-psychiatric unit at an academic medical center where she has worked for the last 11 years. She is a board certified in psychiatric nursing by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and has a master’s degree in forensic nursing. On the inpatient unit, Louise provides education and at-the-elbow support for nurses at the bedside, with an emphasis on trauma-informed care and safety.

Mohamed Shehab, PhD; University of North Carolina Charlotte; Charlotte, North Carolina

Dr. Shehab is a Professor of Software and Information Systems Department at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He received his PhD degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Purdue University in August 2007. His research and teaching interests are in the broad areas of network and information security. In particular, his research focuses on advancing the state of the art in the design and implementation of distributed access control protocols to cope with the requirements of emerging distributed, Web Services, Mobile Applications, Social Networks, and P2P environments.

Soyeon Shim, MSN, RN; University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore; Baltimore, Maryland

Soyeon Shim, MSN, RN, is a PhD student and graduate research assistant at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore. With over 10 years of experience as a psychiatric nurse, she has worked with patients diagnosed with mental health conditions, including substance use disorders. Her research interests focus on substance use disorders, stigma, addictive behaviors, and nurse wellness. Currently, she is involved in research on the impact of Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) on substance use disorders among nurses and has also participated in a study on Dog and Cat Adoption: The Longitudinal Impact on Human Health and Wellness.

Rachel Shuster, BSN, RN, CARN, CAAP, FIAAN; Highmark Inc.; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Rachel Shuster is a bachelor's-prepared registered nurse in long-term sustained remission (aka "recovery") from Opioid Use Disorder. She currently works as an Addiction Specialist at Highmark and has experience spanning critical care, nursing education, office-based addiction treatment, residential treatment, and managed care. Rachel serves on several boards, including the USA Chapter of IntNSA, the Pittsburgh Recovery Walk, UNITY Recovery, and the Butler County Opioid Overdose Coalition. She is committed to addressing stigma, promoting harm reduction, and advancing drug policy reform, blending her personal journey with professional expertise to advocate for lasting change in the field of behavioral health.

Rachel Silk, RN, BSN, MPH; University of Maryland School of Nursing; Baltimore, Maryland

Rachel Silk, MPH, BSN, RN has worked in community-based research for 14 years focused on infectious diseases and more recently on the intersection of infectious diseases and substance use. She has a diverse clinical nursing background that includes community, public health, and hospice nursing. Ms. Silk is currently the Director of Clinical Operations in the Division of Clinical Care and Research at the Institute of Human Virology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. She is also currently pursuing her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree at the University of Maryland.

Jessica Skarda, DNP-s, MSN, CRNP, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP; University of Alabama at Birmingham; Birmingham, Alabama

Jessica Skarda is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) and certified addictions registered nurse–advanced practice (CARN-AP) clinician. She is an Instructor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s School of Nursing, where she teaches addictions and PMHNP specialty track courses. She maintains faculty practice at the 1917 clinic, where she sees people living with chronic HIV. Prior to this, she worked at an Office Based Addiction Treatment Facility, providing MAT, and was also inpatient. She is a Director on the Addictions Nursing Certification Board and serves as an item writer and subject matter expert for the CARN-AP exam.

JIHAD SLIM; NORTH JERSEY COMMUNITY RESEARCH INITIATIVE (NJCRI), Saint Michael's Medical Center; Newark, New Jersey

Dr. Jihad Slim is the Chief of Infectious Diseases at Saint Michael’s Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey. He is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York. Dr. Slim earned his medical degree at the Jesuits French Medical School in Beirut, Lebanon. After completing a fellowship in Nephrology in France, Dr. Slim completed his internal medicine residency and his fellowship in infectious diseases at Saint Michael’s Medical Center. He is board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine with a subspecialty in infectious disease. He is the medical director of the hepatitis C elimination program at NJCRI in Newark.

Olga Smirnova, PhD; East Carolina University; Greenville, North Carolina

Olga Smirnova , Ph.D., is a Professor for the Masters of Public Administration program in the Department of Political Science, East Carolina University. Her research interests include program evaluation, economic development, criminal markets, and performance measurements. Her research appeared in Public Administration Review, Administration and Society, Industrial Relations Journal, and American Behavioral Scientist . She edited Building a Sustainable Transportation Infrastructure for Long-term Economic Growth (2019), which focuses on the ways infrastructure can be financed to be sustainable and contribute to long term economic growth.

Janaina Soares, Ph.D, MsN, BsN; Federal University of Minas Gerais; Belo Horizonte, Brazil

Associate Professor at the School of Nursing at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG). Member of nursing research centers on addictions – alcohol and other drugs at the University of São Paulo and UFMG. I am interested in and contribute to the production of studies and research related to the prevention and promotion of mental health and management of the use of alcohol and other drugs, screening of the use of alcohol and other drugs, individual and group interventions and harm reduction in the health care network and health and community.

Tanya Sorrell, PhD, PMHNP-BC, FAANP; Rush University Medical Center; Chicago, Illinois

Tanya R. Sorrell, PhD, PMHNP-BC is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Rush University Medical Center, Director of the Illinois SOR funded grant, “Illinois Substance Use Disorder Center of Excellence – SUD-COE,” and the Assistant Director of the Great Lakes NIH NIDA Great Lakes CTN. Dr. Sorrell’s doctoral work is in rural and urban underserved Mental Health and Substance use services research, with a minor in Complementary and Integrative Behavioral Health practices for Latino groups.

MARIA DO PERPÉTUO SOCORRO SOUSA NÓBREGA, Postgraduate Program in Nursing.; School of Nursing, University of São Paulo; Sao Paulo, Brazil

Professor in the Postgraduate Program in Nursing. Department of Maternal-Child and Psychiatric Nursing (ENP), School of Nursing, University of São Paulo

Chandra Speight, PhD, RN, FNP-C, CNE; East Carolina University; Greenville, North Carolina

Chandra Speight, PhD, RN, NP-C, CNE is an assistant professor in Advanced Nursing Practice and Education in the College of Nursing at East Carolina University. A nurse researcher and family nurse practitioner, Dr. Speight's research program considers the overlapping topics of nurse practitioner capacity and healthcare access in rural areas, focusing on substance use disorder treatment access. Her passion is preparing advanced practice registered nurses to screen for and treat opioid use disorder. Dr. Speight's research has been funded by the UNC Collaboratory, SAMHSA, the Governor's Institute, and the Aetna Foundation.

Stephanie M. Stansell, PhD, CTTS, NCTTP; Medical University of South Carolina; Charleston, South Carolina

Dr. Stansell is a Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist with the MUSC Tobacco Treatment Program. Stephanie graduated from East Carolina University with a B.S degree in Community Health and Sports Medicine. She completed her Master of Public Health from American Military University. Stephanie completed her doctorate in Public Health from Walden University. Stephanie is a Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist and holds her National Certificate in Tobacco Treatment Practice. Stephanie is a member of the Association for the Treatment of Tobacco Use and Dependence. Areas of expertise include treatment of tobacco use disorder, creating and delivering educational programs, and assessment, treatment planning, and counseling.

Michele Staton, PhD; UK Department of Behavioral Science; Lexington, Kentucky

Dr. Michele Staton is a Professor in the Department of Behavioral Science, and a Faculty Associate of the UK Center on Drug and Alcohol Research. Her research focuses primarily on increasing access to treatment for justice-involved individuals with substance use disorders, with a particular focus on women and individuals living in rural communities.

Wambui Thuita, BA, MPH and MA Student; University of Saskatchewan; Saskatoon, Canada

Wambui Thuita (She/Her) is a graduate student in Women, Gender, and Sexualities at the University of Saskatchewan. Born and raised in Kenya, Wambui has worked in Africa, utilizing an intersectional and social justice lens to facilitate conversations that center the strategic needs of communities’ health through a variety of health projects funded by different partners. She is currently involved in migrant health and institutional budgetary justice process projects. The budgetary justice project seeks to counter current neoliberal accounting practices, advocating for more inclusive, diverse, equity, and decolonizing ways of engagement. The migrant health project delves into seeking culturally responsive approaches for this population.

Martha Tillson, PhD; UK Center of Drug and Alcohol Research; Lexington, Kentucky

Martha Tillson, PhD, is a sociologist by training and currently serves as a Research Scientist at the University of Kentucky’s Center on Drug and Alcohol Research and Substance Use Priority Research Area. Her research centers on individuals' experiences of substance use/misuse and related risks, with a focus on factors and services that support harm reduction and recovery, particularly interventions leveraging the expertise of peer recovery support specialists. This work is motivated and informed by her academic background in psychology and social work, desire to reduce stigma and drug-related harms, and lived experience as a person in recovery.

Linda Tracey, RN, BScN; Fanshawe College; Simcoe, Canada

Linda Tracey is a registered nurse with over 40 years of clinical experience and 25 years of teaching experience. She began teaching at Fanshawe College's Norfolk campus in the personal support worker (PSW) program and has since become the Program's Coordinator. She is the chair of the Outreach Committee at Colborne Village United Church and is also a member of the South Coast Caring for Cancer support group. She is passionate about educating students to be productive members of the health care team. She also encourages PSW students to continue their education in nursing and is always willing to help them on their journey.

Alison M. Trinkoff, ScD, MPH, RN, FAAN; University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore; Baltimore, Maryland

Dr. Alison M. Trinkoff, ScD, MPH, RN, FAAN, is a nurse researcher and epidemiologist specializing in nursing well-being, and the work environment. She is the principal investigator of the NCSBN-funded Nurse Worklife and Wellness Study, focused on substance use and wellbeing. She is investigating the impact of Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) on substance use disorders among nurses. She has been a PI on 5 R01s including the current AHRQ-funded multi-site Nurse “Electronic health record (EHR)usability and usefulness, perceived missed nursing care and medication errors in critical care.” As a professor with tenure at University of Maryland, Baltimore, she has mentored numerous doctoral students.

R. Lee Tyson, DNP, DMin, APRN-CNP, PMHNP-BC, ANP-BC, CARN-AP, CNE, CTMH, FAAN, FAANP, FIAAN; University of Cincinnati; Cincinnati, Ohio

Distinguished advanced practice nurse with dual doctorates in psychiatric-mental health nursing practice and theology. He holds quintuple-board certifications as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), Adult Nurse Practitioner, Certified Addictions Registered Nurse—Advanced Practice, Certified Nurse Educator, and Clinical Tele-mental Health provider. He is a respected fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, and the International Academy of Addictions Nursing. Currently an Associate Professor of Clinical Nursing and the Director of PMHNP Programs at the UC College of Nursing. He is the founder, owner, and CEO of Lee Side Wellness, a leading outpatient psychiatric practice in the Cincinnati metro area.

Irma Ugalde, MD; University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHealth) Houston; Houston, Texas

Dr. Ugalde is an Associate Professor and the Director of Research at McGovern Medical School. Her work focuses on public health solutions to pediatric emergency medicine issues and injury prevention while using evidence-based strategies to deliver care in the Emergency Department.

Camila Valez, BA, MA; McGill University; Montreal, Canada

Camila is pursuing a Ph.D. in Mental Health at McGill University is a psychotherapist, holds a master’s degree in counselling psychology, and brings eight years of experience in clinical practice, counselling, psychoeducation, and mental health and wellness service design for young adults. Camila’s clinical and research work centers on youth mental health, with a focus on equity-deserving groups, drawing from systemic, anti-oppressive, strength-based, and trauma-informed approaches. She is particularly interested in qualitative, participatory, arts-based, and mixed-methods research, emphasizing social determinants of health, lived experiences, and co-design as foundational principles for her work and impactful knowledge mobilization for social transformation.

Matthew Walters, MSN, RN-BC, FIAAN; BayMark Health Services; Tampa, Florida

Matt is the Vice President of Clinical Services for SpecialCare Hospital Management. He oversees the clinical services for 40 hospital-based detox services. Matt is a Registered Nurse who completed undergraduate studies in Nursing and Psychology and graduate studies in Nursing and Business. Matt is a certified Psychiatric MH Nurse; experienced in national advocacy by influencing policy changes for SUD treatment, as well as serving as an ASAM Level of Care contributor. Matt is the President of the Foundation for Addictions Nursing, Fellow of the International Academy of Addictions Nurses, and member of the Academy of Healthcare Executives.

Sara Welty, DNP-APH, BSN, RN; MultiCare Dea; Spokane, Washington

Dr. Welty is a seasoned nurse with extensive experience in caring for patients with substance use disorder. Sara currently runs the SOR grant at MultiCare in the inland northwest.

Wendy Williams Gilbert, PhD, RN, CARN; Multicare Deaconess; Spokane, Washington

Dr. Williams-Gilbert’s is a seasoned nurse with extensive experience addictions nursing. She has had the good fortune of working collaboratively in a variety of academic and clinical settings. Over the years she has cultivated an expertise in providing education and technical assistance to nurses throughout Washington State and beyond in best practices to care for patients with substance use disorder. She serves rural populations through evidenced-based practice, education, and advocacy to ensure all have access to high quality healthcare.

Marian Wilson, PHD, MPH, RN, PMGT-BC; Washington State University; Spokane, Washington

Dr. Wilson completed her Ph.D. in Nursing at the Washington State University College of Nursing in Spokane within the Program of Excellence in Rural Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment. She is board certified in Pain Management Nursing from the American Nurses Credentialing Center & American Society for Pain Management Nursing. She has published research testing Internet-based self-management programs to assist patients with persistent (chronic) pain and is interested in how adoption of non-pharmacologic pain strategies can reduce opioid reliance. Her current focus is on how mood disorders, opioid misuse, and addiction can be addressed within persistent pain populations.

Mary Helen Wofford, ABSN student; Medical University of South Carolina College of Nursing; Charleston, South Carolina

Mary Helen Wofford is an ABSN student at the Medical University of South Carolina’s College of Nursing. During her time at MUSC, she has led the student body as President of the Student Nurses’ Association. With SNA, she has promoted community involvement and outreach, supported diverse learning opportunities, and provided wellness and mental health resources for nursing students. Upon graduation in December of 2024, she is honored to be joining the 2nd in the nation pediatric Heart Center at Shawn Jenkin’s Children’s Hospital.

Mary Ellen Wright, PhD, APRN, CPNP-PC, FAAN; Clemson University; Clemson, South Carolina

Dr. Mary Ellen Wright is an Assistant Professor in the School of Nursing, Clemson University, the Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal for Human Caring. leader of the Appalachian American Alliance for nurse practitioners, leader in maternal/child health and substance use for the Clemson University Center for Research in Healthcare Disparities, a faculty associate in the Clemson University Center for Addiction and Mental Health Research, and a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing. Her current research focuses on perinatal substance exposure with a particular interest in Kratom, performing both human and animal studies to inform practice, research, and policy.

Kathleen Young, BSN, RN, CARN; Oregon Health & Science University; Portland, Oregon

Kathleen Young works as a nurse in two departments at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) in Portland, Oregon. She is an Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) RN Coordinator within the Division of Infectious Diseases and she has two roles within the IMProving Addiction Care Team (IMPACT). She is the nurse for a clinical study utilizing contingency management for hospitalized patients and is supporting the Addiction Consult Service as they expand to hospitals in the Portland area and throughout Oregon. She is honored to bridge the fields of Infectious Diseases and Addiction Medicine. She also volunteers with Portland Street Medicine caring for Portland’s houseless community.

Camille Zalar, MHA, BSN, RN, CARN, FIAAN; Glenbeigh, Ashtabula Regional Medical Center, affiliate of the Cleveland Clinic; Rock Creek, Ohio

Camille Zalar is the current Director of Nursing at Glenbeigh, Ashtabula Regional Medical Center, an affiliate of the Cleveland Clinic, a 185-bed addiction treatment hospital. She is the Chair of the Fellowship in the International Academy of Addictions Nursing (FIAAN). Past director of education and initiatives for the Northeast Ohio Hospital Opioid Consortium at The Center for Health Affairs where she directed the mission to significantly reduce the impact of the opioid epidemic in NE OH by sharing and implementing evidence-based practices (EBP), promoting policy changes, and increasing prevention efforts while also concentrating on education, harm reduction, treatment, data, and health policy.

Kelli Zenner, MBA, MSW, LCSW; Barnes Jewish-Hospital; Saint Louis, Missouri

Kelli Zenner began her social work career at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO in 2017 after earning her MSW from Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville. She became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in 2020 and continued her education to earn her MBA in 2021 from Webster University. She worked on medicine and psychiatry before starting as a supervisor of the inpatient social work team in March 2021. Her passion for chemical dependency stems from an extensive family history of addiction and her own sobriety. In her free time, Kelli enjoys reading, hiking, and spending time with her two cats.