Sexuality and Addiction: An Intersection

An overview of how addiction impacts human sexuality including intimate relationships, gender identity/expression, LGBTQ+, and sexual functioning. Distinction between gender and sexual orientation will be made along with a sexual development model through the lifespan provided.

Human Trafficking 101

Human trafficking is a hidden crime that preys upon the most vulnerable members of our society, and the first step to combating it is to identify victims so they can be rescued and help bring their perpetrators to justice. The Human Trafficking Awareness Training will provide attendees with an in-depth understanding of current indicators so that they can report occurrences in a trauma-informed manner.

Self-Care for Peer Supporters: Creative Approaches to Build Wellness

The 8-dimensional wellness model is a peer driven approach that peer supporters can adopt to empower themselves and others to create and adapt self-care habits and routines that can positively impact quality of life. Peer supporters play a critical role ensuring social justice helping fellow peers who may encounter trauma, mental health and substance use challenges related social inequities and health disparities. This session will explore how and why peer supporters can bolster wellness self-care skills personally and professionally for improved wellbeing. Participants will examine how the wellness in 8-dimension model and sensory approaches can enhance self- reflection and self-discovery especially when dealing with chronic stress, anxiety, and isolation. This interactive session will provide participants practical examples to engage, support and inspire others. Co-presenters will discuss what they do personally and, in their work, and how to apply in both face to-face community and virtual peer support settings. Tools and sensory approaches to build wellness in the 8 dimensions to deal with and rebuild after the pandemic will be highlighted.

Prevention in All Walks of Life

Every person brings our own story to the important work we do. We bring our diverse cultural, racial, gender and sexual orientation identities. Many of us also bring stories of trauma, struggle, oppression, illness and other parts of ourselves and our stories that may or may not be visible on the outside, but they exist. In this interactive and dynamic workshop, we will challenge ourselves to explore and share the differences, commonalities and gifts that make us the leaders we are and the leaders we are still becoming. Come and join this experience of respect, inclusion, courage and inspiration.

Promoting Resilience: A Look at the Interconnected Outcomes of Burnout and Self-Care for Supervisors and Clinicians

The course of the past has brought many changes to our professional lives. Managing the pandemic and our new virtual world have challenged coping skills and clinicians have experienced burnout. Burnout within clinical staff and supervisors result in multiple negative outcomes and decreased job satisfaction. In the substance abuse field, there is an estimated 18.5% to 25% turn over across all positions. These statistics confirm the importance of self-care and a healthy agency culture. Conference participants will learn how to effectively implement a healthy agency culture while increasing professional development of staff, promoting self-care in our dramatically changing world.  

Souldrama: Blending Psychology & Spirituality in the Counseling Room

Souldrama was developed by Connie Miller, NCC, LPC, TEP., ACS in 1997 and trademarked as a therapeutic tool created for use as an adjunct to psychodrama and designed to move clients from co-dependency to co-creativity. Using action methods of Psychodrama to help group members redefine their belief systems that contribute to their codependency in relationships, Souldrama is spiritually focused and correlates with the 12-steps. This presentation will break down the approach and seek to demonstrate methods that clinicians can use in group settings.

Peer Support Specialists as Part of the Treatment Team

Peer Support Specialists as part of the Treatment Team will cover what a Peer Support Specialist is, their qualifications, training and continuing education, and the Louisiana Medicaid Program rule and future reimbursement. What Peer Support Specialists can and can’t do in a treatment setting. Incorporating Peer Support Specialists into the Treatment Team for enhanced client treatment experience and outcomes.

Treatment and Recovery Strategies for LGBTQIA Clients

Substance abuse treatment has long faced the need for innovative, comprehensive approaches to treating LGBTQIA. LGBTQIA populations experience substance abuse and mental health disorders at rates significantly higher than heterosexuals. Clients are far less likely to engage in traditional treatment services because of stigma and culturally insensitive treatment models. LASACT conference participants will gain lessons learned to successfully develop a holistic and culturally sensitive treatment model for treating the LGBTQIA client. Participants will learn culturally relevant treatment techniques, learn to overcome treatment barriers, and how to use LGBTQIA peer support specialist to advocate for clients in the recovery process.

Best Practice Treatment Options for Methamphetamine Use During Pregnancy

Methamphetamine use is dangerous for everyone, but especially so for women who are pregnant. Meth abuse of any form during pregnancy, whether it be smoking, snorting, swallowing, or injecting the drug, can cause significant harm to both the unborn child and mother. Women with substance abuse issues often face a barrage of critical social judgements and stereotyping, such as being morally corrupt or deviants of the social expectations which have been historically placed on women (Pajulo, Pajulo, Jussila, & Ekholm, 2016).

B. A. M: Breaking the Stigma that Prevent Communities of Color from Accessing Treatment

B. (Break the Stigma). A. (Ask for Help) M. (Make the Call) Behavior Health (BH) is a process that engages the entire community directly to impact behavior change. This workshop will introduce a data-driven process to identify and develop a Stigma Reduction Plan to address the stigmas that plagues communities of color from accessing treatment.

Keynote: The Wild World of Sports Betting

Consistently, there are more creative and fast paced forms of entertainment to help people escape, cope, or adjust to the stressors of life. Whether finding it through substance, technology, or a variety of other methods, individuals are becoming more daring, tech savvy and tech dependent. One area that has seen an explosion of growth is emergence of legalized sports gambling. Coupled the ability offered by some states to place bets online, individuals now have access to information and opportunities to wager 24 / 7. This workshop will explore the psychological aspects and gambling mechanics common to sports gambling while reviewing responsible gambling practices and resources for those impacted by problem gambling.

Keynote: Louisiana’s Public Health Response to the Opioid Crisis

Part one of this presentation will discuss the 2020 trends in drug overdose deaths statewide, layered with pandemic-specific timelines, and also include updated 2020 data on ED visits, hospitalizations, and prescription drug use. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Louisiana was experiencing annual increases in the number of drug overdose deaths. When comparing data from 2019 to 2020, the Louisiana Opioid Surveillance Initiative in the Office of Public Health detected a substantial spike in fatal overdoses during the pandemic, which followed national trends recognized by the CDC. Part two of this session will present the principles of harm reduction in responding to the overdose crisis, including the ways the healthcare system can be a source of trauma for people who use drugs. Finally, harm reduction programs in practice in Louisiana will be discussed

Addressing Grief During Stimulant Crisis

This session will address reactions to loss and the relationship to substance abuse; examine how individuals respond to the grief associated with recovery; and identify ways to help address grief and loss issues associated with SUD. The session will assist courts in understanding this often-unconsidered element of addiction and recovery.

The Science Behind the Phenomenology and Treatment of Suicidal Thoughts

This presentation provides an overview of contemporary research regarding what suicidal thoughts are and what they aren’t. Research demonstrates suicidal thoughts are experienced verbally as well as through mental images, are variable and dynamic, and are sometimes experienced non-consciously. Research also demonstrates that suicidal thoughts cannot always be attributed to depression and are not strong predictors of eventual suicidal behavior. The presentation ends with recommendations for clinical practice given our quickly evolving understanding of the nature of suicidal thinking. 

LGBTQ+ Youth in Regards to High Addiction and Suicide Rates

Recovery is a process, not an event and has biological, psychological, and social components. Individuals giving up substances is difficult and, in many cases, people entering treatment experience significant emotional, physical, and relational losses. As part of a comprehensive treatment experience these losses must be recognized and addressed in treatment process and therapeutic engagement.  In this presentation the participant will learn to identify perceived losses and how to incorporate models of grief and loss in the treatment experience.

Vaping 101

Although vaping maybe a newer trend in tobacco, there have been substantial gains in knowledge on the harm that comes with the use of these products. As progress has been made in the decline of traditional tobacco products amongst middle and high school students, new vaping products and hookahs have taken the place of the combustible cigarette and smokeless tobacco. The objectives of this presentation are to give an overview of current vaping rates and products, types of vaping devices, the negative impact of vaping on youth, and the tobacco industry’s marketing tactics used to increase vaping rates. Lastly, the presentation will provide tools to advocate for action against the vaping industry and cessation opportunities for youth and adults.

Keynote: Racial Inequalities in SUD Services

Stigma, prejudice and discrimination, disproportionately impact People of Color (POC) in all aspects of our healthcare system. Health statistics related to COVID-19 provide indisputable evidence that a history of poor healthcare results in generations of poor health. Prevalence of substance use disorders, their treatment and prevention, further substantiate systemic impacts of racial inequities, with higher rates of use disorders, related incarceration, and overall deaths for the most vulnerable- namely POCs. The “Groundwater Metaphor” is a conceptualization to aide in an understanding of the depth of the race-based caste system that exists in America. Its application to Racial Inequities in Substance Use Treatment is intended to initiate dialogues that help develop individual narratives to promote systemic change.  In the end, the goal is to promote transformation which begins with individual leaders’ taking responsibility for their own beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors.  

Keynote: Federal Policy Initiatives Impacting Substance Use Disorder Services

An overview of Federal Policy Initiatives Impacting Substance Use Disorder Services:  This session will review federal policy impacting State publicly funded substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery systems.  In particular, a review of selected programming stemming from major statutes such as the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act; 21^st Century Cures Act; and the SUPPORT Act will be provided.  In addition, the presentation will summarize historic funding initiatives cleared recently by Congress and the Administration.  Finally, the program will conclude with some insight into how new federal proposals under consideration may impact State systems and services.

Keynote: Understanding SAMHSA’s Role in the Continuum of Care

Presentation will include detailed discussion of SAMHSA and its role in supporting behavioral health services throughout the country. Key topics include harm reduction, medication assisted treatment, and health equity. A brief overview of SAMHSA funding will be presented along with the importance of advocacy in determining those funding priorities. The presentation will conclude with a variety of resources to support practitioners in the addiction field.

Keynote: Addressing the Triple Threat of Stimulants, Opioids, and COVID

Our country has been battling an opioid epidemic for over 20 years. More recently, stimulants (cocaine and amphetamines) have increased in availability, use, and lethality. These two major drug problems are now impacted by an unprecedented 3^rd threat in this country, the Covid-19 pandemic. With this “triple threat” of opioids, stimulants, and Covid-19, we need to rethink how we deliver treatment to those with SUD, particularly those struggling with the social isolation, depression, anxiety, and economic hardships associated with Covid-19.  This is particularly true for stimulants as there is no “gold standard” of treatment and no effect medication available.

E-Sports, Gaming, and Gambling Convergence

Consistently, there are more creative and fast paced forms of entertainment to help people escape, cope, or adjust to the stressors of life.  Whether finding it through substance, social media, YouTube, or a variety of other methods, individuals are becoming more daring, tech savvy and tech dependent.  From a technology perspective, one area that has seen explosive growth exists in the world of video gaming.  The rise in popularity of eSports has resulted in an increase in gamers worldwide seeking fast-paced action, escape, and sometimes a chance to win money.  With that in mind, research studies have started to show a correlation between early onset adolescent gaming as a gateway to problem gambling or other potential issues that may arise later in life.  Problem gambling is linked to many individual, public health, and social problems including: depression, suicide, significant debt, bankruptcy, family conflict, domestic violence, neglect and maltreatment of children and criminal offenses.  As with any addiction, treatment and early intervention utilizing various approaches can be very effective.  This workshop will provide an overview and analysis of gaming and gambling, the behavioral, emotional and psychological warning signs, and considerations for recovery including key principles and barriers.

Marijuana Impairment and Traffic Safety

While alcohol-impaired driving remains a persistent public health issue, driving while intoxicated crashes have gone down nationally and in Louisiana. Conversely, drug use among drivers, particularly marijuana use, has become more prevalent. The biggest contributing factor to increased marijuana impaired driving is the legalization of marijuana. During this session, the presenters will address the confusing characteristics of marijuana toxicology, marijuana per se limits and zero tolerance statutes, drug recognition expert programs, and challenges of blood testing versus breath or urine testing to determine marijuana impairment. At the conclusion of this training, you will be able to identify general marijuana trends, understand how marijuana impairment works, and describe the effects of the increased use of marijuana on traffic safety.  We will also discuss recent efforts to legalize marijuana in Louisiana and the effects and challenges of legalization in Colorado.

Professional Quality of Life of Substance Abuse Counselors and the Counselor Client Relationship

Substance abuse has been a prominent issue within the United States since the beginning of time (Prohibition, Crack Crisis, Opioid Epidemic). The growing rate of substance abusers have left the number of readily available substance abuse counselors at a deficit. Substance abuse counseling is a specialty that has been designated to counselors with differing levels of education, experience, recovery status and credentials. Substance abuse counselors have many roles and responsibilities that often time leads to burnout. Not much research has been conducted on the professional quality of life of substance abuse counselors and how it corresponds to the population served.

2020 Louisiana Caring Communities Youth Survey

The 2020 Louisiana Caring Communities Youth Survey was administered to Louisiana students beginning in the fall of 2020. Participants of the survey include 6^th, 8^th, 10^th and 12^th grade students from private and public schools throughout the State.  Similar to previous years, the current report captures prevalence rates (lifetime and 30 day), perceptions, attitudes, and usage on numerous indicators including Drugs and Alcohol, Tobacco, Mental Health, Bullying, Gambling, Antisocial Behaviors and Risk and Protective factors. The following presentation will focus on the history of the CCYS, methodology, theory, operational definitions, and some CCYS findings at the state level.

One Court’s Approach to Addiction – Micro Case Studies

This presentation will include cases I have presided over in my Drug Court and Child in Need of Care cases that involve drug addicted defendants and parents.  The synopsis offered of certain cases will highlight how their behavior outside of court dictated positive and negative results in the court system. Also, discussion will be offered of how their interactions and representations with and to the Court impacted the outcome of their cases.      Some discussion of general legal standards will be included to demonstrate limitations on the judicial system when dealing with addicted litigants. 

Helping Families Heal

Often family members hide in the shadows of addiction not knowing where to turn. Many suffer quietly, often in anger and resentment at the behaviors of their loved one. This session will help build a strong rationale for the parallel process of healing for family members.

Video Games: A Gateway to Gambling?

Video games have changed, and so too, have their business models. Today, video games are designed to not only keep you playing, but increasingly to keep you spending money. Features like in-app purchases, micro-transactions, loot boxes, skins, and esports betting cause concern over their risks of gambling behavior. What does the latest research show and are video games a gateway to gambling? This program will outline potential harms for young people and implications for prevention, policy and treatment.

Eight Essentials to Recovery

Dr. Kenneth Foy currently practices as a LMFT in New Orleans with more than twelve years of experience in the field of addiction treatment and education. Participants in this class will be presented with a brief history if the statistical data of substance dependency and Abuse in our present world, addiction treatment and education in the recovery process, and The Eight Essentials to Recovery as well as how to build a House of Recovery. This class will be offered in three sessions. Although each session can stand alone, for best practices, participants are encouraged to attend the three sessions.

The Intersection of Trauma, Substance Use, and Process Addictions

This training will explore the foundational understanding of how trauma impacts the brain and thus decision making and increases vulnerabilities to both substance use and other process addictions. It will highlight the neuroscience of trauma and addiction and explore the interplay between these behaviors. And finally, the training will highlight skills and strategies to begin to heal the brain, provide safety and connection for the patient and identify motivation for behavioral changes that support recovery.

The Gamification of Investing and Problem Gambling

It's never been easier to compulsively spend your money. Technological progress has led to significant innovation across gaming, gambling and investment industries, increasing access to risky products for vulnerable groups. Features such as virtual currency, mobile gambling, sports betting, and investing apps, mixed with viral social media and meme culture add additional opportunities to experience harm. Come learn about emerging trends and what the latest research shows for the next generation of problem gambling.

I am over this. Understanding Burnout and How to Deal with It

This presentation begins with a definition of burnout, compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma. It is important to understand the difference between the three and how it may impact a professional. This presentation also provides information about specific factors that influences each of these three. The presentation will also give tools to comp-at and mitigate compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma and burnout.

Current Drug Trends (How Community Members Can Address Drug Problems in their Communities through Operation Engage)

This session will inform participants of the various community roles involved in combatting the opioid crisis with an emphasis on drug manufacturing and seizure of illicit substances. Co-presenters will discuss and provide a basic context of the Controlled Substances Regulatory System with specific information regarding opioids prescribed in a practice and pharmaceutical setting. Participants will leave this session with a contextual understanding of the role of the practitioner in the utilization of community outreach programs and other referral resources that provide education and supportive services.

Finding Zen from Within: Mindfulness for Prevention Professionals

Finding “Zen from Within” cultivates a holistic approach to a healthy way of life. Practices such as deep breathing open a gateway for individuals to acknowledge sensations throughout the body, enhance meditation practices, think more clearly/creatively, and let go. The presentation includes a discussion of Mindfulness and self-care practices that decrease stress and magnify work performance. Applied practices are aimed to enhance the overall mental and emotional state of the prevention professional. Elevating the understanding and importance of mindfulness empowers prevention professionals to exfoliate the mind and increase self-care.

A Family System’s Approach to Treating Trauma and Addiction

Research tells us that recovery is strengthened when family or a primary support system exists. Individuals seeking treatment for substance use disorders have opportunities to gain education and insight and process their experiences and emotions while developing healthy coping mechanisms. However, families can be forgotten and loved ones often do not receive the same information and support, thus perpetuating their tendency to be organized around the chaos of addiction rather than being organized to the recovery. For many families the symptoms of trauma are often left untreated, leading to behaviors that place themselves and their loved one in recovery at risk of past dynamics.  Integrating the families allows for them to express themselves in a safe and supportive environment while also learning about the recovery process and ways to both start our journey of recovery as well as to support the recovery of their loved one.

DSM-5 and Recovery: A Guide to Selecting Effective Treatments

Learning to navigate and diagnose substance use disorders can be challenging and selecting an appropriate treatment method can be even more daunting. It is important for clinicians to have an in-depth understanding of the DSM-5 criteria to appropriately diagnosis clients. Failure to conduct appropriate assessments can lead to overdiagnosis and overtreatment of SUDs. The pandemic, social unrest, and current political climate have increased anxiety and 13% of Americans have reported increasing their substance use. This conference presentation will provide a review of DSM-5 criteria for SUDs and provide competencies for assessing and selecting appropriate treatment interventions for clients.