Multimedia
Humor has long been recognized as a powerful tool in therapy, capable of breaking down barriers, fostering rapport, and promoting healing. This interactive session presented by Mallori DeSalle, MA, LMHC, NCC, CMHC, CHP, delves into the art and science of using therapeutic humor to support clients in their therapeutic journey. Participants will explore the multifaceted benefits of humor in therapy, including its ability to reduce stress, enhance resilience, and facilitate emotional processing. Through case studies, role-playing exercises, and group discussions, attendees will learn practical strategies for incorporating humor into their therapeutic practice in a safe and ethical manner.
Whether you're a seasoned therapist looking to refresh your approach or a new practitioner eager to expand your therapeutic toolkit, this session offers valuable insights and practical techniques for harnessing the power of humor to support your clients on their path to healing and growth. Join us and discover how humor can be a transformative force in the therapeutic process.
Download slides | View recording
Published: March 27, 2024
Other
The New England ATTC, in partnership with RICARES, held the next monthly installment of the Recovery Science and Harm Reduction Reading Group series. We discussed a paper titled, “State-level homelessness and drug overdose mortality: Evidence from US panel data” by Cano and Oh. A summary of the discussion is available for download.
Article link: www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0376871623011481?ref=pdf_download&fr=RR-2&rr=85fb4e876ef442b5
Please find the meeting summary here:
ATTC ReadingGroup 03212024 Summary
Published: March 22, 2024
Presentation Slides
The New England ATTC, in partnership with the New England Association of Recovery Court Professionals, provided a basic/universal TA webinar titled, "Myth Busters - Dispelling Drug Testing Myths" with subject matter expert Paul Cary. The slides are available for download.
Published: March 16, 2024
Print Media
Xylazine (or “tranq”) is a non-opioid sedative and tranquilizer only approved for use in veterinary medicine. However, over the past several years, human consumption of xylazine has begun rapidly increasing. Although initially only identified in illicit drug supplies in limited areas, xylazine has been found in 48 states as of April 2023. Xylazine is frequently, though not exclusively, used in conjunction with opioids, particularly fentanyl—due to xylazine’s ability to prolong their effects. Xylazine use presents many potential dangers to people, including an increased risk of overdose and the development of necrotizing tissue damage. This factsheet details key concerns, overdose responses, harm reduction techniques, and more.
To download the factsheet in English, please click the "Understanding Xylazine" button on the right side of the page.
This factsheet is now available in Spanish. Translation services by the National Hispanic and Latino Behavioral Health Center of Excellence. Traducido por:
To download the full version of the Spanish factsheet, please click the "Comprender la xilacina" button on the right side of the page.
Published: March 15, 2024
Multimedia
The Institute of Medicine describes person-centered care as the qualities of compassion, respect and responsiveness to the needs, values, and expressed desires of each individual patient. But how do we ensure that we as providers are working from ‘where the client is at’ instead of from our own agenda?
Effective engagement strategies grounded in eliciting information, positive regard and empathetic understanding will be discussed. Further, the content will inform and highlight Cultural Humility key components as a means to person-centered care to enhance the opportunities that build trust and rapport. When people who seek services are heard and included in their treatment care, they are more likely to commit to their own recovery and wellness process.
This training was approved for three renewal hours (CASAC, CPP, CPS) and three 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.
Published: March 11, 2024
Other
Episode 2, with Chief Judge of the 31st Judicial District in Kansas, Honorable Daniel D. Creitz, and Director of Community Corrections & Kansas Department of Corrections Juvenile Services, Troy Smith
If you’ve ever wondered what works better than punishment to reduce criminal activity, you will want to listen to this episode! Our guests, Chief Judge of the 31st Judicial District in Kansas, the Honorable Daniel D. Creitz, and Director of Community Corrections and Kansas Department of Corrections Juvenile Services, Troy Smith, share their work supporting persons with substance use disorders as they experience recovery, rekindle hope, and take their lives back. You’ll be inspired as they discuss what works, what doesn’t, what it takes to stay well yourself when working in a field with this much trauma exposure, and why it’s so important to continually celebrate successes, both large and small.
Published: March 8, 2024
Other
In this episode, we talk with Lisa Charlson, Human Resources Organizational Development Educator, and Jackie Griffin, Senior Director of Guest Services, both with University Health, a Level-One Trauma Center located in the heart of Kansas City, Missouri and serving as both the urban-core, safety-net hospital and the teaching hospital for the University of Missouri-Kansas City. This conversation is filled with extremely practical advice for leaders, from leaders, including ways Trauma Informed Caring transforms conflict, how to have truly collaborative conversations even around difficult topics, and how to create compassionate culture that supports and includes absolutely every person your organization
touches.
Published: March 8, 2024
Other
Join us for Trauma Informed Care in Unexpected Places (TICUP) our next topic on the Trauma Informed Caring Podcast, brought to you by the Mid-America Addiction Technology Transfer Center and funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. In this introductory episode, Andrea and Roxanne discuss themes from the upcoming season as well as how they each came to work in the field of Trauma Informed Care and what has surprised them along the way.
Warning: Listening to this series may cause you to feel good and experience more vicarious joy in your life.
Published: March 8, 2024
Multimedia
In this webinar, Natania Crane, PhD, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Associate Director of the UIC Recovery Clinic, provides current information on research and treatment related to cannabis use and mental health, including recent changes in cannabis use, how the endocannabinoid system may regulate mental health symptoms, and what we currently know about cannabis use and mental health.
Sponsored by the Northwest and Pacific Southwest Addiction Technology Transfer Centers (ATTCs) and the Western States Node of the NIDA Clinical Trials Network.
View slides | Watch recording
Published: February 29, 2024
Multimedia
This is a recording of the webinar presented 2/28/24 along with the PDF copy of the presentation slides.
Published: February 28, 2024
Presentation Slides
Module: THC and Adolescents
The primary purpose of this manual is to provide specific strategies for teachers and service providers to counsel adolescents about the effects of marijuana use in a way that makes them receptive to the information offered by the provider. This is through a psychoeducation process presented in a structured, non-imposing manner.
Psychoeducate students, in a structured and interesting way, about the effects of marijuana.
Offer students/adolescents the opportunity to learn about and discuss marijuana and its effects on the brain.
Establish the difference between myths and realities regarding the information being provided about marijuana and its effects.
Allow safe spaces of dialogue for students/adolescents to express their concerns and questions regarding marijuana use and its effects.
Published: February 21, 2024
Presentation Slides
Módulo: THC y Adolescentes
El propósito principal de este manual es proporcionar estrategias específicas para los maestros y proveedores de servicio, para que orienten a los adolescentes sobre los efectos del consumo de marihuana. De una manera que los haga receptivos a la información. Esto es a través de un proceso de psicoeducación presentado de manera estructurada y no impuesta.
Psicoeducar a los estudiantes, de una manera estructurada e interesante, sobre los efectos del consumo de marihuana.
Ofrecer a los estudiantes/adolescentes la oportunidad de aprender y discutir sobre el consumo de marihuana y sus efectos adversos en el cerebro.
Establecer la diferencia entre mitos y realidades respecto a la información que se proporciona sobre marihuana y sus efectos.
Permitir espacios seguros de diálogo para que los estudiantes/adolescentes expresen sus inquietudes y preguntas sobre el consumo de marihuana y sus efectos.
Published: February 21, 2024
Multimedia
This webinar, hosted by the Northwest ATTC, PTTC, and MHTTC, provided an overview of the seven vital conditions for well-being and illustrated how the framework can be useful for conceptualizing holistic individual and community well-being. The presenters, Chris Kelleher (consultant) and Jennifer Johnson (Skagit County Deputy County Administrator), demonstrated how the framework can help address issues related to a community response to mental health and well-being, substance use disorder, and substance misuse prevention in Skagit County, WA, with the North Star Initiative. The framework is used by multiple state and federal agencies, including The Federal Plan for Equitable Long-Term Recovery and Resilience as a guiding framework to organize and take action on social determinants of health.
Watch the recording here.
Published: February 20, 2024
Multimedia
Published: February 20, 2024
Presentation Slides
In partnership with the New England Association of Recovery Court Professionals, the New England ATTC hosted a webinar titled, “Peer Support: Why Your Program Needs It” by subject matter expert Abby Frutchey. The slides are available for download.
Published: February 5, 2024
Multimedia
Talking To Change: A Motivational Interviewing Podcast, hosted by Glenn Hinds and Sebastian Kaplan, is a series of conversations exploring Motivational Interviewing (MI) and its influence on supporting individuals and groups as they make positive health and lifestyle changes.
Talking to Change: An MI Podcast Episode 73: MI and Hope in Alaska, with Sarah Niecko, PhD
In this episode, Dr. Sarah Niecko of the University of Alaska Southeast joins the podcast to talk to Glenn and Sebastian about the transformative potential of motivational interviewing and the healing power of culture, resilience, and hope. Topics covered include: transforming burnout through hope and love, adapting to a new world through curiosity and compassion, embodying the MI spirit, MI spirit directed inward before radiating it forward, language as a way to rediscover identity, and her experiences creating a new integrated behavioral health program.
Published: February 5, 2024
Multimedia
The audio recording from the webinar, “Peer Support: Why Your Program Needs It” (described above) is also available for download.
Published: February 1, 2024
Multimedia
Motivational interviewing is an evidence-based, conversation model for evoking and enhancing intrinsic motivation to change behaviors. In this video-conversation, participants will discuss the core components of this model and practice using the skills of Motivational Interviewing, particularly in the context of substance use behavior change(s). Prior knowledge of Motivational Interviewing is not required. This learning community is open to everyone engaging in conversations about behavior change - educational degrees or credentials are also not required.
This three-part training series was approved for six renewal hours (CASAC, CPP, CPS) and six 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.
Published: February 1, 2024
Multimedia
Motivational interviewing is an evidence-based, conversation model for evoking and enhancing intrinsic motivation to change behaviors. In this video-conversation, participants will discuss the core components of this model and practice using the skills of Motivational Interviewing, particularly in the context of substance use behavior change(s). Prior knowledge of Motivational Interviewing is not required. This learning community is open to everyone engaging in conversations about behavior change - educational degrees or credentials are also not required.
This three-part training series was approved for six renewal hours (CASAC, CPP, CPS) and six 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.
Published: February 1, 2024
Multimedia
Motivational interviewing is an evidence-based, conversation model for evoking and enhancing intrinsic motivation to change behaviors. In this video-conversation, participants will discuss the core components of this model and practice using the skills of Motivational Interviewing, particularly in the context of substance use behavior change(s). Prior knowledge of Motivational Interviewing is not required. This learning community is open to everyone engaging in conversations about behavior change - educational degrees or credentials are also not required.
This three-part training series was approved for six renewal hours (CASAC, CPP, CPS) and six 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.
Published: February 1, 2024
Multimedia
Virtual reality (VR) is an immersive technology that creates a simulated experience. Unlike traditional media, such as television or computer screens, VR offers a three-dimensional (3D) experience. One of the remarkable aspects of VR is Social VR, which allows individuals to interact with each other in 3D virtual spaces in real-time. This interaction is facilitated through the use of 360-degree immersive content and head-mounted displays, providing a sense of presence and realism in virtual interactions.
In this session, Sarah E. Clingan, Ph.D., Associate Project Scientist at UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, delves into the current state of VR technology, particularly focusing on its application in treating substance use disorders. The presentation explores how VR can be utilized in therapeutic settings, offering insights into both the proven benefits and potential applications of VR that have yet to be fully explored or tested. This exploration includes examining how VR can simulate various environments and scenarios, which could be instrumental in developing new treatment strategies for substance use disorders.
Download slides | Download citations handout | View recording
Published: January 24, 2024
Multimedia
Talking To Change: A Motivational Interviewing Podcast, hosted by Glenn Hinds and Sebastian Kaplan, is a series of conversations exploring Motivational Interviewing (MI) and its influence on supporting individuals and groups as they make positive health and lifestyle changes.
Talking to Change: An MI Podcast. Episode 72: Non-Suicidal Self-Injury and MI with Victoria Kress, PhD, and Rachel O'Neill, PhD
In this episode, hosts Glenn and Sebastian talk to Drs. Kress and O'Neill about non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and how MI fits into conversations with people who exhibit NSSI. They cover how to engage effectively with people who exhibit NSSI, how to reframe "attention seeking" as an effort to connect, the clinician's experience of working with someone who exhibits NSSI, harm reduction and safety planning, blending MI with narrative therapy, pre-session intention setting for clinicians, change talk in the context of NSSI behaviors, and how to go beyond behavior change to help your client.
Published: January 22, 2024
Print Media
La hoja informativa provee información sobre la importancia del servicio de navegación de pacientes y su propósito de guiar a la persona a través del sistema de salud. Se le apoya en la identificación del o los diagnósticos, tratamientos y seguimiento de condiciones médicas, incluyendo el trastorno por uso de sustancias. Proveyendo asistencia en la programación de citas, pruebas médicas y en obtener ayuda financiera, legal y social, de ser necesarias. La finalidad de la navegación de pacientes es la eliminación de barreras para lograr la atención adecuada en los servicios de salud que recibe la persona.
Published: January 16, 2024
Multimedia
Contingency management is the evidence-based behavioral intervention associated with the most robust evidence for effectively treating individuals with a stimulant use disorder (StimUD). Contingency management provides monetary incentives (such as gift cards) for meeting treatment goals, including stimulant non-use as measured by negative point-of-care urine drug tests (UDTs), rewarding individuals for changing their behaviors. Substance use offers a powerful, immediate reinforcement. Contingency management confronts this challenge by offering immediate financial awards that can help activate the brain’s reward system, thus encouraging the replacement of stimulants with the incentive to achieve a dopamine release. This 90-minute webinar is designed to provide a broad overview of contingency management for treating individuals with a stimulant use disorder (StimUD). Ample time will be provided for group discussion and audience Q&A.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of the course, participants will be able to:
-Describe at least three (3) patterns and trends regarding the scope of stimulant use in the Western U.S. and beyond.
-Identify at least three (3) acute and three (3) chronic effects of psychostimulant drugs on the brain.
-Formulate a list of the four (4) essential elements of an evidence‐based, protocol‐driven contingency management program to address stimulant use.
-Specify two (2) barriers to implementing contingency management and two (2) strategies to address the barriers.
Published: January 11, 2024