Track: Addiction

“Understanding and Addressing Addiction: Prevention, Treatment, and Long-Term Recovery”
This session will address the multifaceted issue of addiction, including substance use disorders and behavioral addictions. Attendees will explore the causes and risk factors associated with addiction, such as genetic predisposition, environmental influences, and psychological factors. The session will cover the impact of addiction on individuals and families, including the physical, mental, and social consequences. Participants will learn about various treatment modalities, including detoxification, rehabilitation programs, and support groups. Emphasis will be placed on understanding addiction as a chronic disease, developing effective interventions, and supporting individuals in recovery.
Neurobiology of Addiction
Explore the neurobiological mechanisms behind addiction, focusing on how substances and addictive behaviors affect brain chemistry and neural pathways. Gain insights into the role of neurotransmitters, reward circuits, and brain plasticity in the development and persistence of addiction. Understand how these neurobiological findings inform effective treatment strategies for addiction recovery.
Behavioral Addictions: Beyond Substance Abuse
Examine behavioral addictions such as gambling, internet gaming, and shopping addiction, which, while not involving substances, share many characteristics with substance use disorders. Learn about the diagnostic criteria, psychological mechanisms, and treatment approaches for these increasingly recognized forms of addiction. Explore clinical strategies to address these addictions.
Co-Occurring Disorders: Treating Addiction and Mental Health
Discuss the complex relationship between addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Explore the challenges of diagnosing and treating individuals with dual diagnoses, and examine integrated treatment approaches that address both substance use and mental health symptoms to improve patient outcomes.
The Impact of Addiction on Families and Relationships
Examine the profound effects of addiction on families and relationships, including the dynamics of codependency, challenges faced by children of individuals with addiction, and strategies for family-based interventions that support recovery. Learn how to rebuild healthy relationships and provide necessary support for family members affected by addiction.
Innovations in Addiction Treatment: Pharmacotherapy and Beyond
Explore the latest innovations in addiction treatment, focusing on pharmacotherapy options such as methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. Understand non-pharmacological approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, and the use of technology in addiction treatment, including telemedicine and mobile health apps to support recovery.
Prevention Strategies: Reducing the Risk of Addiction
Examine evidence-based strategies aimed at reducing the risk of addiction across different populations. Topics include public health initiatives, community-based programs, and educational efforts targeting vulnerable groups, such as adolescents and individuals with a family history of addiction. Learn how to implement prevention strategies in various settings.
Addiction Recovery: Approaches to Long-Term Sobriety
Explore various approaches to supporting long-term recovery from addiction, including 12-step programs, peer support groups, and holistic recovery strategies such as mindfulness and yoga. Understand the factors that contribute to sustained recovery and examine the challenges individuals face in maintaining sobriety over time.
The Role of Social Determinants in Addiction
Examine how social determinants of health—such as poverty, trauma, and access to healthcare—impact the development of addiction and recovery outcomes. Discuss strategies to address these underlying social factors in addiction prevention and treatment programs, focusing on promoting equity and improving access to care for vulnerable populations.
Scientific Highlights
- Mental Health
- Women’s Mental Health
- Psychology and Psychiatry
- Autism
- Stress, Anxiety and Depression
- Psychotherapy and Counseling Psychology
- Behavioral Health and Bullying
- Suicide and Self Harm
- Bipolar Disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Neurology and Neurological Disorder
- Addiction
- Obesity and Eating Disorder
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Obsessive Compulsive disorder
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Personality Disorder
- Child Abuse