Products and Resources Catalog

The National Alliance on Mental Illness recognizes that current environmental factors are traumatizing people of color, which as a risk factor can also initiate or increase substance use and potentially developing trauma and stress complications. Provider bias in stigmatic language or other microaggressions affect a client’s capacity to respond to clinical interventions and are often identified in research, as components of poor behavioral health outcomes. Culturally responsive organizations integrate cultural humility in all levels of practice and serve delivery, providing highest levels of patient centered care and building equity with persons of color and other marginalized communities. This interactive virtual training will review how to integrate cultural humility within care, review culturally and linguistically appropriate services for organizational capacity building and opportunities for provider practice, and show how cultural responsiveness can increase patient wellness for racial and ethnic populations. This training was approved for two renewal hours (CASAC, CPP, CPS) and two initial hours (CPP, CPS) through New York State’s Office of Addiction Services and Supports (NYS OASAS). As an IC & RC member board, OASAS-accredited courses were granted reciprocal approval by the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, Alcohol and Drug Counselor Committee. 

DESCRIPTION Challenges in processing information is a critical consideration for providers engaging in prevention and outreach to people living with substance use disorder. To empower assessment and intervention, providers need to increase their skills in information gathering and sharing with people whose diagnoses contain a cognitive processing barrier. This toolkit will define and exemplify what cognitive processing disorder is, how it presents, and some basic considerations for navigating it. To download the toolkit, please use the CPD Toolkit button on the right side of this page.   This toolkit was developed in collaboration with Laura Hinds of Hindsight Consulting Group, LLC. Laura Hinds MSW, LCSW is a clinical social worker with experience in medical, behavioral and mental health settings. Laura has had the pleasure of working with high acuity special needs populations and their providers for over 22 years. An alumna and instructor at Penn’s School of Social Policy and Practice for 13 years, and Bryn Mawr’s School of Social Work and Social Research for the past 4 years, Laura has supported the learning and education of new social workers, veterans in the field, and their interdisciplinary partners.

The Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) in Faith Communities flyer highlights the benefits of TIC for faith communities, provides an overview of key training topics, and outlines how to schedule a training for your congregation.

This is a recording of the webinar presented on March 20, 2025 with Dr. Christian Thurstone, MD, MS. According to SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2022), cannabis was the most commonly used illicit drug in 2022, with 22.0% of people aged 12 or older (or 61.9 million people) using cannabis in the past year. The percentage was highest among young adults aged 18 to 25 (38.2%), followed by adults aged 26+ (20.6%), then by adolescents aged 12 to 17 (11.5%). Following legislation that approved recreational use of cannabis by adults, a diverse range of products have become readily available causing new public health concerns. While smoking or vaping cannabis were once the primary route of ingestion, cannabis consumption now includes ingestion through food, pills, drinks, drops, strips, and lozenges, and topical application through sprays, lotions, creams, and concentrates. “Expanding cannabis legislation across the world and individual states has significant consequences to threaten public health in the context of no cannabinoid product approved for psychiatric indication…. Cannabis related issues for adolescents and young adults are now emerging from the shadows of rural opioid addiction and death” (Gupta & Petti, 2023). Furthermore, research indicates that rural adolescents use cannabis earlier and at higher rates than urban adolescents. To explore current cannabis trends for both urban and rural adolescents, The Green Adolescent Brain webinar will highlight risk factors associated with cannabis use by adolescents, its impact on the developing brain, and treatment interventions and recovery support strategies that are adolescent specific.  

This webinar provided an overview of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS), a constellation of intractable vomiting, abdominal pain, and hot bathing behavior that solely occurs in the context of certain heavy chronic use of THC-predominant cannabis, including synthetic cannabinoids. Whereas multiple etiological theories of its causation have been advanced (e.g., pesticide or neem exposure), these have been largely debunked. CHS is associated with frequent emergency department visits with high associated expense (about $90K USD). Considerable morbidity and even some fatalities have been reported. The definitive treatment is abstention from cannabis usage, but parenteral haloperidol and cutaneous application of capsaicin ointment can provide symptomatic relief. In this session, you will learn what CHS is, understand its pathophysiology and evidence for a genetic predisposition, learn how to differentiate CHS from cyclic vomiting syndrome and other differential diagnoses, and debunk spurious theories of CHS origins that are without scientific support. Download the slides | Watch the recording

  The Take 10! Transforming Care for Women with Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) and their Families series discusses current issues and challenges confronted by women presenting with substance use, SUDs, and who are in recovery. Women experience SUD in ways that are distinct from men. Studies show that when women begin treatment for SUDs, they frequently arrive with more severe medical, behavioral, psychological, and social struggles compared to men. For these reasons, there is a need for different treatment methods.   Series Learning Objectives This series will address: Best practices for treating women with SUDs in the United States, with a focus on the Midwest The link between trauma, substance use, and other co-morbidities in women Using trauma-informed approaches during treatment when appropriate Effective clinical strategies, interventions, and resources that help improve engagement, retention, and completion of treatment programs   Topic 7 (Overview Session): Considerations for Treating Women with SUDs Who Have Experienced Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) This 30-minute overview session will introduce participants to considerations for treating women with SUDs who have experienced IPV and/or TBI. When most people hear the terms “concussion” or “traumatic brain injury,” they think of football, military service, or unfortunate accidents. Fewer people are aware that brain injury can be caused by overdoses, head injuries while under the influence of substances, domestic violence (e.g., domestic, sexual), and strangulation or choking. Many clinicians are unaware of the role IPV can play in the lives of their clients, including how substance use and mental health coercion can affect one's overall health, including their needs and ability to participate when receiving behavioral health services. We lack awareness of the significant role TBI and IPV can play in a person’s recovery journey as well as accessing and successfully engaging with supports. We will discuss strategies to incorporate knowledge of IPV and TBI into behavioral health services so clients can continue to live the lives they deserve.    Session Learning Objectives:   Attendees will: Learn at least two tactics of substance use coercion   Identify at least two ways in which unidentified brain injuries can contribute to challenges accessing behavioral health services   Develop at least two strategies to integrate knowledge of IPV brain injury into behavioral health services     Trainers: Rachel Ramirez, LISW-S, RASS Cheryl Stahl, LPCC   The Great Lakes ATTC is offering this training for individuals working in HHS Region 5: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI. This training is being provided in response to a need identified by Region 5 stakeholders.

This is a recording of the webinar presented on March 25, 2025 with Mark Disselkoen, LCSW, LCADC. When considering the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) there are several considerations related to privacy and ethical practices in SUD treatment. We will explore issues related to confidentiality, such as the use of AI to assist in clinical documentation. State and federal regulations will be reviewed to understand how AI can be utilized in a legal and ethical way when creating progress notes and other clinical documentation about the interaction between the client and the counselor. This training will explore the potential strengths to enhance clinical practice using AI, as well as discuss the limitations and ethical concerns when using AI. Principles will be provided to help navigate the use of AI in clinical practice.  

This is a recording of the webinar presented on March 19, 2025 with Kate Speck, PhD, MAC, LADC. The 90-minute ethics webinar will equip behavioral health professionals with an understanding of ethical principles for application in their professional roles. Emphasizing the significance of ethical values in human service practice, this presentation will explore topics relevant to professionals in addiction, gambling, mental health, case management, social work, vocational rehabilitation, and justice fields, particularly serving in rural areas. Discussion of ethical responsibility, recognizing personal core values underpinning ethical practice, examining an ethical decision-making model, and understanding the context of therapy will be addressed.

This interactive webinar describes how effective client de-escalation improves provider and client wellbeing. Participants will have the opportunity to reflect on their experience of de-escalation and to consider events within a larger, supportive process of de-escalation. Effective verbal and non-verbal approaches will be reviewed and explored using a scenario. Ultimately, effective de-escalation is a team process; participants will leave this session prepared to talk with their co-workers and to make intentional choices about de-escalation in SUD treatment and recovery support settings. TRAINING OBJECTIVES Normalize heightened feelings experienced within SUD settings when clients become escalated. Explore and reconsider ‘de-escalation’ as a process, not an event. Review and discuss verbal and non-verbal approaches that supports client de-escalation. State the rationale for why no one should de-escalate alone. Presented by Paul Warren, LMSW

This is a recording of the webinar presented March 6th, 2025, by Nancy Roget, MA, and Trisha Dudkowski, BA. People living in rural areas may experience substance use disorders (SUDs) at rates similar to those in urban areas but face higher mortality rates and greater risks of suicide, with substance use issues often being more severe. According to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 94.7% of individuals with a SUD did not seek or believe they needed treatment. Barriers to seeking and accepting treatment include issues of accessibility, availability, affordability, and acceptability, many of which are exacerbated by stigma (negative perceptions, labels, and stereotypes) associated with substance use. This is especially true in rural communities where self-reliance and privacy are valued. Recent research indicates public stigma reduction campaigns can help decrease stigma and the associated barriers to treatment. This presentation will highlight these research findings on decreasing stigma, components of public stigma reduction campaigns, and discuss its implications for rural communities.  

  The Take 10! Transforming Care for Women with Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) and their Families series discusses current issues and challenges confronted by women presenting with substance use, SUDs, and who are in recovery. Women experience SUD in ways that are distinct from men. Studies show that when women begin treatment for SUDs, they frequently arrive with more severe medical, behavioral, psychological, and social struggles compared to men. For these reasons, there is a need for different treatment methods.   Series Learning Objectives This series will address: Best practices for treating women with SUDs in the United States, with a focus on the Midwest The link between trauma, substance use, and other co-morbidities in women Using trauma-informed approaches during treatment when appropriate Effective clinical strategies, interventions, and resources that help improve engagement, retention, and completion of treatment programs   Topic 5 (Training Session): SUDs Treatment for Women with Children This 2-hour training session will introduce participants to the emotional, physical, and socioeconomic factors that uniquely impact women during treatment, and especially how these factors relate to the treatment of SUDs for women with children.   Gabriela Zapata-Alma, LCSW, CADC              

  The Take 10! Transforming Care for Women with Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) and their Families series discusses current issues and challenges confronted by women presenting with substance use, SUDs, and who are in recovery. Women experience SUD in ways that are distinct from men. Studies show that when women begin treatment for SUDs, they frequently arrive with more severe medical, behavioral, psychological, and social struggles compared to men. For these reasons, there is a need for different treatment methods.   Series Learning Objectives This series will address: Best practices for treating women with SUDs in the United States, with a focus on the Midwest The link between trauma, substance use, and other co-morbidities in women Using trauma-informed approaches during treatment when appropriate Effective clinical strategies, interventions, and resources that help improve engagement, retention, and completion of treatment programs   Topic 4 (Overview Session): Intersections of SUDs and Trauma This 30-minute overview session will introduce participants to the emotional, physical, and socioeconomic factors that uniquely impact women during treatment, and especially how these factors relate to the intersections of SUDs and trauma.   Trainer: Gabriela Zapata-Alma, LCSW, CADC                 The Great Lakes ATTC is offering this training for individuals working in HHS Region 5: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI. This training is being provided in response to a need identified by Region 5 stakeholders.

This flipbook features a compilation of published blog posts from the ATTC/NIATx Service Improvement Blog that highlights content focused on the use of NIATx principles, tools, and processes to create impactful and lasting organizational change. It also includes information on implementing the NIATx change model in new and diverse settings. The featured content was selected and arranged by Mat Roosa, LCSW-R, a NIATx subject matter expert and regular contributor to the blog. This product is available online as an interactive flipbook or as a downloadable PDF.                         

January 2025 Presenter: Apoorva Mallya, Executive Director of Hepatitis Education Project (HEP) In the US, there are more than 3 million people infected with hepatitis C, a disease that has devastating impacts across the body and is a leading cause of liver cancer. Prevalence of hepatitis C is highest amongst people who currently use drugs or have in the past. At the same time, there is 98% effective cure available for hepatitis C that is simple to administer and has low side effects. With the development of this cure, the public health community has set its sights on elimination of hepatitis C, which would prevent cases and save lives for generations. However, reaching elimination would require a major increase in treatment, as less than 1/3rd of people diagnosed with hepatitis C have been treated. A broad group of providers and organizations, particularly those serving people who currently or formerly use drugs, will need to begin offering or expand hepatitis C services to their patients. Watch this webinar to learn more about hepatitis C and potential pathways to scale up hepatitis C services! Download slides | Watch the recording

The Take 10! Transforming Care for Women with Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) and their Families series discusses current issues and challenges confronted by women presenting with substance use, SUDs, and who are in recovery. Women experience SUD in ways that are distinct from men. Studies show that when women begin treatment for SUDs, they frequently arrive with more severe medical, behavioral, psychological, and social struggles compared to men. For these reasons, there is a need for different treatment methods.   Trainer: Tim Devitt, Psy.D., LCPC, CADC, is a clinician, trainer, consultant, researcher and executive leader with a 35+ year commitment to providing recovery-oriented services to individuals, families and organizations. He currently operates a clinical therapy and consultation practice in the Chicago Metropolitan Area with a specialization in integrated mental health and substance use care for adolescents and adults. His past programmatic development work has included leading the integration of mental health and substance use treatment in assertive outreach, residential and center-based outpatient and intensive outpatient programing. Tim has presented nationally and co-authored 20 peer-reviewed articles and a book chapter on the integration of evidence-based practices to best meet the comprehensive needs of people with substance use and mental health conditions. Tim is the proud recipient of the 2022 William White. Lifetime Achievement Award (awarded by the IL Chapter of The National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Counselors, NAADAC), a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT), a lecturer at the University of Chicago, Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy and Practice, a senior adjunct faculty at Adler University (MA in Military Psychology and MA in Applied Psychology), and serves as board member for Serenity Academy of Chicago, a start-up 501(c)(3) organization committed to the formation of alternative peer groups and a recovery high school for youth and families struggling with addiction and Edna’s Circle, a start-up recovery home and comprehensive recovery services program on the Westside of Chicago. The Great Lakes ATTC is offering this training for individuals working in HHS Region 5: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI. This training is being provided in response to a need identified by Region 5 stakeholders.

DESCRIPTION Fatal overdoses and suicides are two of the most severe behavioral health outcomes. They are also growing more common. Suicide rates increased 41% nationally from 1999 to 2022, while fatal overdose rates increased 440%.1 Reducing fatal overdose and suicide is a top priority for the behavioral health field. Fortunately, suicide and overdose share many risk and protective factors. In fact, many interventions designed to address one outcome can simultaneously help address the other. Addiction treatment professionals can play a key role, as ongoing substance use is a shared risk factor for both outcomes.2 To download the entire version of the fact sheet, please use the Overdose and Suicide  button on the right side of the page.

SAMHSA’s Community Opioid Overdose Reversal Medications (OORMs) Planning Toolkit is now available! This comprehensive resource is designed to help communities expand access to lifesaving medications like naloxone to reduce overdose fatalities. The toolkit provides actionable guidance for community leaders, public health professionals, and other partners to create effective overdose prevention and response strategies to improve local overdose reduction outcomes. Community Opioid Overdose Reversal Medications (OORMs) Planning Toolkit

SAMHSA’s new National Guidance on Essential Specialty Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Care provides guidance on an essential set of services for adults with SUD that should be available at any specialty SUD treatment facility in the United States. The intended audiences are states and payers, accreditation entities, adults and families in need of care, specialty SUD treatment facility operators/administrators, behavioral health professionals, researchers, and local governments. Currently, there is a dramatic lack of consistency in services available to adults in need of specialty SUD treatment. The goal of this guidance is for the intended audiences to use this tool to identify treatment gaps, support evidence-based planning, and improve outcomes for adults with SUD.

The Take 10! Transforming Care for Women with Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) and their Families series discusses current issues and challenges confronted by women presenting with substance use, SUDs, and who are in recovery. Women experience SUD in ways that are distinct from men. Studies show that when women begin treatment for SUDs, they frequently arrive with more severe medical, behavioral, psychological, and social struggles compared to men. For these reasons, there is a need for different treatment methods.     Presenter: Carmela J. DeCandia, PsyD Carmela J. DeCandia, PsyD, is a licensed clinical child psychologist who has dedicated her career to advancing best practices and policies to support vulnerable children and families, and to improve the systems which serve them. In practice for nearly 30 years, her primary work focuses on building trauma-informed systems of care. Her specialties include: child and adolescent development, family homelessness,  addressing the impact of traumatic stress, program development and systems change, neurodevelopmental testing and family assessment. A compassionate clinician and effective leader, she is nationally recognized as a writer, advocate, and public speaker. She has led direct service and national agencies including St. Mary’s Women and Children’s Center and The National Center on Family Homelessness. Currently, Dr. DeCandia is the Owner and President of Artemis Associates, LLC where she provides training and consultation to organizations  to enhance resilience for children, families, and their providers. In addition, she maintains a clinical practice in neurodevelopmental and psychological testing of children at Strong Roots Counseling center, and is the Principal Investigator on a NICHD funded project to develop the screening instrument - NEST Early Childhood. Dr. DeCandia has published extensively in academic journals and educational reports, and lectures on lifespan development and psychological testing at Boston College Graduate school in Counseling, Developmental, and Educational Psychology. For her work, she was named the recipient of the 2016 Hor ace Mann Spirit of Service Award by Antioch University.   The Great Lakes ATTC is offering this training for individuals working in HHS Region 5: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI. This training is being provided in response to a need identified by Region 5 stakeholders.

DESCRIPTION Cannabis is one of the most widely used psychoactive substance globally. The harm perception towards cannabis use is at its lowest in 40 years, especially in pregnancy individuals who may use it for a variety of pregnancy related symptoms. The webinar will elaborate on some of the risks associated with cannabis use in pregnancy. To view the recorded webinar, click the View Resource button on the right hand side. To download the accompanying fact sheet, please click on this image below. GUEST SPEAKER Vishesh Agarwal, MD Dr. Vishesh Agarwal is an award winning board-certified general adult psychiatrist, with additional board certification in addiction psychiatry and obesity medicine. He received the Delaware Today Top doctors award in 2022. Along with his clinical work, Dr. Agarwal supervises and mentors trainee physicians and student learners. He is an invited speaker at regional, and national conferences, and has published in peer-reviewed journals.

A new course titled Introduction to Substance Use Disorders is now open. This course offers a certificate of completion, as well as NAADAC, NASW, CNE, and CHES. Introduction to Substance Use Disorders is a 2-hour, self-paced course that provides a science-based introduction to substance use, substance use disorders (SUDs), and SUD treatment. It was designed for undergraduate, graduate and health professions students and practitioners who do not have a background in addictions.

Behavioral health and health care settings offer a spectrum of programs including substance use, mental health, and medical and recovery services. Professionals providing these supports use an array of competencies to empathize and assist persons with substance use and other psychosocial problems. Always focused on helping others, professionals can experience challenges in practicing self-care for themselves. This interactive workshop provides an opportunity for providers to review wellness practices and experience the benefits of intentional, micro-structured, self-care interventions. Trainer: Paul Warren, LMSW This training was approved for two renewal hours (CASAC, CPP, CPS) and two initial hours (CPP, CPS) through New York State’s Office of Addiction Services and Supports (NYS OASAS). As an IC & RC member board, OASAS accredited courses were granted reciprocal approval by the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, Alcohol and Drug Counselor Committee.  Many other states offered reciprocity.

Explore the slides and video from the Workplace Well-Being: A Guidebook for Cultivating a Culture of Collective Care launch event held on November 13, 2024. The guidebook provides actionable strategies for building a supportive and compassionate workplace environment. It serves as both a comprehensive resource and a reflective journal, designed to help leaders identify and address the effects of stress and trauma, while nurturing a resilient, trauma-informed culture. During the launch event, participants were introduced to the guidebook's core concepts and learned practical approaches for integrating its tools into their organizations to enhance well-being and foster a stronger, more caring workplace culture.

This skill-focused Learning Community conversation defines and demonstrates a way of engaging that considers the worker-task of providing information and/or feedback to people receiving services. This method of collaborative conversation can prevent disconnection, pushback and increase engagement. This training was approved for two renewal hours (CASAC, CPP, CPS) and two initial hours (CPP, CPS) through New York State’s Office of Addiction Services and Supports (NYS OASAS). As an IC & RC member board, OASAS accredited courses were granted reciprocal approval by the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, Alcohol and Drug Counselor Committee. Many other states offered reciprocity.