AMERSA National Conference

The AMERSA National Conference, marking its 50th anniversary, stands as a significant event in the field of substance use education, research, and care. This conference is designed to foster collaboration among a diverse group of attendees including clinicians, researchers, policymakers, educators, community health professionals, and individuals with lived experience of substance use disorders. The goal is to create a vibrant dialogue that transcends traditional boundaries, thereby strengthening substance use care and advancing the future of this crucial field.The conference features a series of interactive workshops focused on critical issues affecting various populations across the lifespan. One notable workshop addresses care transitions for older adults with substance use disorders in skilled nursing facilities, tackling barriers such as stigma and regulatory confusion. Participants will engage in discussions and workflow mapping to develop practical strategies for improving hospital-to-SNF transitions and integrating peer support for these vulnerable patients. Another workshop focuses on the intersection of substance use and intimate partner violence, introducing the Substance Use Coercion ECHO Toolkit to help providers enhance their skills in identifying and addressing these issues in a supportive manner.Additionally, workshops will delve into compassionate perinatal substance use care, offering evidence-based practices to improve training and referral processes for healthcare teams. Participants will learn essential tools for early identification and peer support integration, ensuring comprehensive care from pregnancy through postpartum. Another important session will focus on using Lifebooks as a tool to help children navigate discussions about separation, loss, and addiction. This workshop will equip attendees with the skills to support children's emotional processing and identity formation through the creation of developmentally appropriate narratives. AMERSA has a long-standing commitment to bridging research and real-world care, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in enhancing health and well-being. The conference aims to connect innovative research with practical applications, thereby driving meaningful progress in substance use care. By fostering an interdisciplinary network of professionals, AMERSA continues to inspire collaboration and advance the field through education, research, and policy initiatives. This milestone event represents both a celebration of past achievements and a forward-looking vision for the future of substance use education and care.