New England ATTC

The New England ATTC, in partnership with the Care Transformation Collaborative of Rhode Island is hosting a targeted TA session titled, "Improving Care for Alcohol Use Disorder: Identification, Management, and Stigma Reduction in Primary Care" with subject matter expert Brian Fuehrlein, MD, PhD. This three-part series equips clinicians to identify and manage AUD using a stigma-informed, patient-centered approach. Topics include the disease model of addiction, stigma and trauma-informed care, screening and brief intervention, risk reduction, and referral to treatment. The series also reviews withdrawal management, outpatient treatment, pharmacologic and psychosocial approaches, recovery supports, and application of ASAM criteria.   [This targeted TA session was requested by a specific Region 1 organization.  If your organization is interested in similar TA please contact [email protected]]

The New England ATTC, in partnership with the Connecticut Department of Corrections is hosting a targeted TA session titled, "Strengthening Staff Resilience While Addressing Criminogenic Thinking" with subject matter expert Brenda Westberry, MS. This training explores the intersection of staff well-being and effective work with justice-involved individuals by addressing both burnout and criminogenic thinking patterns and antisocial logic. Participants will learn to recognize common thinking styles that underlie criminal behavior and apply evidence-based strategies to respond to resistance, manipulation, and antisocial behaviors. The session also highlights the unique stressors faced by helping professionals and offers practical tools to manage stress and prevent burnout. By strengthening staff resilience, participants will be better equipped to support behavior change and improve outcomes in correctional and behavioral health settings.   [This targeted TA session was requested by a specific Region 1 organization.  If your organization is interested in similar TA please contact [email protected]]

The New England ATTC in partnership with the Brown University Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies is hosting a TA session titled "Alcohol and Sleep: Clinical Implications" with Subject matter expert Augustine Kang, MD, PhD. This training will focus on the relationship between alcohol use and sleep, and its implications for clinical practice. We will review how alcohol disrupts sleep architecture and circadian rhythms, and how these effects appear both in the short term—such as fragmented sleep after drinking—and over time, contributing to poorer sleep quality and insomnia. Finally, we will connect this knowledge to practice by exploring how clinicians can use it in patient conversations to better counsel individuals on reducing alcohol-related sleep disruption and improving overall sleep health. Learning Objectives: Understand the effects of alcohol on sleep architecture and circadian rhythm. Identify the biphasic and chronic effects of alcohol on sleep quality and insomnia. Apply knowledge of the sleep–alcohol relationship to counsel patients on reducing alcohol-related sleep disruption.

For many adolescents and young adults, eating disorders (ED) and substance use disorders (SUD) are not distinct challenges, but integrated and mutually dependent challenges. This 90-minute interactive session explores the clinical intersection of these disorders, with a look at the epidemiology of co-occurrence and the genetic, internal, and external factors that drive these behaviors. Moving beyond theory, this presentation utilizes clinical cases to illustrate how these behaviors serve as maladaptive coping mechanisms while exploring the risks of symptom substitution and the power of resiliency-based approaches. We will conduct a brief clinical review of DSM-5-TR criteria for both ED and SUD to ensure a shared diagnostic language. Participants will engage in active discussion and audience participation to identify symptoms, risks, resiliencies, and approaches to care. We will conclude with a review of SAMHSA-aligned, integrated treatment strategies and a comprehensive resource toolkit designed to support "whole-person" recovery in transition-age youth Learning Objectives: Review Diagnostic Criteria and Profiles: Summarize the DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria for both Eating Disorders and Substance Use Disorders and differentiate between the specific substances most commonly misused in conjunction with different ED subtypes (e.g., stimulants for weight control in restrictive types vs. alcohol/depressants for emotional numbing in binge/purge types). Evaluate Clinical Case and Resilience: Apply clinical vignette to identify high-risk behaviors and discuss integrated care approach Analyze Epidemiology and Risk Factors: Evaluate current epidemiological data regarding the co-occurrence of ED and SUD in youth, identifying core genetic (heritability), internal (personality traits/neurobiology), and external (trauma/social environment) factors that contribute to these dual diagnoses. Implement Integrated Care Models: Describe the "whole-person" approach to treatment as recommended by SAMHSA, including the roles of a multidisciplinary team (medical, nutritional, and psychological) in treating both disorders concurrently.

The Faith in Action Toolkit was developed by the Opioid Response Network and the New England Addiction Technology Transfer Center and is designed to equip faith leaders with the resources, strategies, and knowledge necessary to address the topic of substance use disorders and make a meaningful impact in their congregations and beyond. Faith leaders possess a unique ability to reach out to those in need, providing not only spiritual guidance but also practical support. Key Components of the Toolkit: • Educational Resources: Learn about the complexities of substance use disorders and the specific challenges faced by individuals and families in crisis. • Community Engagement Strategies: Discover ways to mobilize your faith community to respond effectively to the needs of those struggling with addiction. • Support and Recovery Initiatives: Find practical steps to create or enhance support groups, recovery programs, in-reach efforts within your congregation, and outreach into the broader community.

This course provides a foundational overview of the ASAM Criteria, including key updates in the Fourth Edition (2023) and major changes from prior versions. The ASAM Criteria offers a patient-centered, evidence-based framework for assessing and treating substance use and co-occurring conditions, with an increased emphasis on a chronic care model and continuity across the care continuum. The training will also highlight practical applications in correctional settings, including screening, level-of-care decision-making, and care transitions during reentry—areas further emphasized in the Fourth Edition. Learning Objectives: Describe the core components and purpose of the ASAM Criteria, including its patient-centered and evidence-based framework. Identify key updates introduced in the Fourth Edition (2023) and distinguish major changes from previous editions. Understand ASAM Criteria principles, screening, and level-of-care.