Workshop

Introduction/Objectives: Drug use remains high globally, posing a public health concern. The UNODC World Drug Report 2024 [1] estimates the prevalence of drug use at 5.6%, with 292 million people having used an internationally controlled substance worldwide, and 64 million people living with drug use disorders. The treatment gap widened in the last 5 years, …

UNODC-WHO Programme on Drug Dependence Treatment and Care – Perspectives and experiences from 15 years of collaboration and opportunities for the future Read More »

Introduction/Objectives: Substance use among adolescents remains a concern globally, with adolescence being a peak period for initiating substance use while brain development is still ongoing and young people are exposed to many risk factors. The prevalence of cannabis use in the age group 15-16 (5.5%) was estimated higher than in the general population (4.4%) globally …

Treatnet Family – Elements of family therapy for adolescents with substance use disorders: Implementation in low-resource settings Read More »

Background The intersection of hepatitis, mental health and addiction presents a unique opportunity to drive impactful interventions. The NOhep Medical Visionaries Programme, a practical and peer-led programme equipping medical professionals with the knowledge and tools they need to lead the fight against viral hepatitis, is driving the work in this space. This is in response …

Addressing Addiction, Mental Health and Hepatitis to Improve Outcomes Read More »

The overprescribing of opioids is associated with harms, such as opioid use disorder, overdose, and death, thus the development and evaluation of non-pharmacological treatments are paramount in reducing dependence on opioids and opioid-induced adverse effects and optimizing pain management. Mindfulness is a practice characterized by bringing attention to the present moment through awareness and acceptance …

Use of the Apple Vision Pro in reducing pain and anxiety in a hospitalized patient with mixed connective tissue disease Read More »

Vapes, vaporizers, vape pens, hookah pens, e-cigarettes or e-cigs, and e-pipes are some terms used to describe electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), which are battery-powered tobacco products that typically deliver inhalable, aerosolized nicotine. E-cigarettes are the most used tobacco product among U.S. middle school and high school students, with the vast majority of these products …

The Era of Vaping: The Impact of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) on Mental Health and Substance Use and the Rise of a New Generation of Nicotine Dependence Read More »

Background There is a growing concern in international public health systems due to increasing worldwide benzodiazepine prescription prevalence and associated risks. The resulting movement toward benzodiazepine de-prescribing also comes with risks. Benzodiazepines are among the most highly used groups of pharmaceuticals, especially in industrialized countries. In the United States of America, benzodiazepine overdoses have increased …

Anxious About Benzodiazepines? A U.S. Perspective On Compassionate Prescribing And De-Prescribing Read More »

Stimulant use disorder presents an ongoing and significant global health challenge, characterized by increasing rates of use and limited treatment options. The disorder’s severe medical, psychological, and social impacts emphasize the need for effective, evidence-based treatment strategies. This interactive skill-building workshop will explore comprehensive SUD treatment approaches, focusing on psychosocial and pharmacological interventions. We will …

Treatment Modalities for Stimulant Use Disorder: Comprehensive Review and Future Directions Read More »

This workshop aims to explore the use of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) in treating patients with addiction, focusing on substances like LSD and psilocybin. As addiction continues to challenge traditional therapeutic methods, emerging research highlights the promising role of psychedelics in treating substance use disorders. The workshop will provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of how …

Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy for Addiction: Techniques, Indications and Clinical Outcomes Read More »

Drug Policy and Harm Reduction are an evolving landscape. The drug overdose/poisoning crisis and Covid pandemic underscore the urgency of these topics. Decriminalization, legalization, alternatives to incarceration programs, prescribed safe supply, consumption in public places, and overdose prevention services such as supervised injection sites and naloxone distribution, are examples that will be discussed and debated …

International Drug Policy: A Comparative Analysis Read More »

Spirituality is a construct that is reflected in a diversity of strongly felt personal commitments in different cultural and national groups. For persons with substance use disorders (SUDs), it can serve as an important component of the recovery. Empirical scientific research can shed light on psychological, social, and biological aspects of this construct. The ISAM …

Spirituality in Addiction Medicine: Science or Science Fiction? Read More »