Treating the Addictions

Addictive disorders remain a key challenge for mental health and primary care providers, and cause significant suffering to those affected. According to the most recent survey data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), more than 48 million people reported a substance use disorder in the past year. However, only 1 in 5 people received the treatment they needed for substance misuse. In addition, the widespread legalization of internet and sports gambling in recent years has led to a surge in reports of unhealthy behaviors and downstream effects related to gambling. Finally, high relapse rates have effectively rendered addiction of any type a chronic disease. There is still a long way to go to ensure we are effectively treating addictive disorders. At the same time, promising data are emerging on the efficacy of GLP-1 receptor agonists to reduce the neural mechanisms of addiction, and there is some indication that we are turning a corner on reducing the opioid epidemic.

In this course we'll explore all of the above topics plus trauma, cannabis, and caregiver burnout. Faculty will share the current evidence base, practical tips, and important considerations for working with patients suffering from addiction and its related conditions. Join us to learn how to blend the art and the science of treating addictions!

Who Should Attend

• Specialty Physicians
• Primary Care Physicians
• Social Workers
• Family Therapists
• Counselors
• Psychologistss

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

• List the components of the self-medication hypothesis of addictions, and apply a self-medication understanding to current clinical practice.
• Discuss the current epidemiologic trends in cannabis use, and the evidence regarding its risks, harms, and therapeutic use.
• Review the principles and philosophy of Harm Reduction, and summarize evidence-based approaches that aim to minimize the negative health, social, and economic consequences associated with drug use.
• Describe the connection between trauma and addiction, and analyze how adverse experiences increase the risk of substance misuse.
• Summarize elements of treatment for people with co-occurring trauma and addiction.
• Review emerging data on the efficacy of GLP-1 receptor agonists for the treatment of substance use disorders.
• Review the consequences of unaddressed health care provider mental illness and substance use, and articulate strategies that providers themselves and the healthcare system can implement to address provider health issues.
• Apply evidence-based treatment strategies for gambling disorder, including cognitive-behavioral approaches, motivational interviewing techniques, and gambling-related suicide risk assessment.

ABMS/ACGME Competencies

This course is designed to meet the following American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) / Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Educational (ACGME) competencies:

• Patient Care and Procedural Skills
• Medical Knowledge
• Professionalism
• Interpersonal and Communication Skills

IOM Competencies

This course is designed to meet the following Institute of Medicine Core Competencies:

• Provide Patient-Centered Care
• Employ Evidence-Based Practice

Questions?

Please contact the Continuing Education Programs with any questions by email at ceprograms@hms.harvard.edu.

Elizabeth Davis, MD

Clinical Director of Addiction Care, Medical Director of Outpatient Addiction Services, and Associate Program Director, Addiction Medicine Fellowship, Cambridge Health Alliance
Instructor in Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

Heather Gray, PhD

Director of Academic Affairs, Division on Addiction, Cambridge Health Alliance
Assistant Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

Kevin Hill, MD, MHS

Chief, Division of Addiction Psychiatry, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

Diya Kallivayalil, PhD

Co-Director, Cambridge Health Alliance Asylum Program
Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

Amy Sobieszczyk, LICSW

Program Leader, Outpatient Addictions Service
Teaching Associate in Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

Joji Suzuki, MD

Division of Addiction Treatment and Prevention, AMC Psychiatry Department, Mass General Brigham
Program Director, Brigham and Women’s Hospital Addiction Medicine Fellowship Program
Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

Course Directors

Harvard Medical School Continuing Education attracts the best and brightest faculty from all around the world. As a student in this course, you’ll have access to outstanding course directors and faculty.

Mark Albanese, MD

Medical Director of Physician Health Services, Massachusetts Medical Society
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, part-time, Harvard Medical School

Janice Kauffman, RN, MPH, CAS, LADC1

Vice President, Addiction Treatment Services, North Charles Foundation, Inc.
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

Karen Kuc, MPH

Director, Continuing Education in Psychiatry, Cambridge Health Alliance​​​
Associate in Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

In support of improving patient care, Harvard Medical School is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

To receive CME/CE credit, learners are required to complete the course evaluation. Once the evaluation is complete, you will be able to claim your credit and download your certificate. All evaluations and credit claims must be completed within 60 days of the course end date.

Physicians

The Harvard Medical School designates this live activity for a maximum of 7.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Nurse Practitioners and Registered Nurses

For the purpose of recertification, the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board and American Nurses Credentialing Center accept AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ issued by organizations accredited by the ACCME (Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education). We would also suggest that learners check with their state licensing board to ensure they accept reciprocity with AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ for re-licensure.

Physician Assistants

The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) states that AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ are acceptable for continuing medical education requirements for recertification. We would also suggest that learners check with their state licensing board to ensure they accept reciprocity with AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ for re-licensure.

Psychologists

Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This course offers 7.00 continuing education credits.

Please note: For psychologists, social workers, counselors, and LMFTs, this course has been approved for a set amount of credits and CHA is not able to issue CE certificates for partial credit. Participants must be present for all sessions to claim a certificate. For any questions regarding CE credit, please email CME@CHAlliance.org. 

Social Workers

Application for social work continuing education credits has been submitted to NASW-MA. Please contact us at cme@challiance.org for the status of social work CE accreditation. NY Social Workers: Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an Approved Provider #0038 of continuing education for licensed social workers. This course offers 7.00 contact hours.

Please note: For psychologists, social workers, counselors, and LMFTs, this course has been approved for a set amount of credits and CHA is not able to issue CE certificates for partial credit. Participants must be present for all sessions to claim a certificate. For any questions regarding CE credit, please email CME@CHAlliance.org.

Counselors

Cambridge Health Alliance is an Affiliate of Harvard Medical School. Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 5444.  Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry is solely responsible for all aspects of the program. This course meets the requirements for 7.00 continuing education hours and is also applicable for Commonwealth of Massachusetts Counseling/Allied Mental Health accreditation for 7.00 credits.

Please note: For psychologists, social workers, counselors, and LMFTs, this course has been approved for a set amount of credits and CHA is not able to issue CE certificates for partial credit. Participants must be present for all sessions to claim a certificate. For any questions regarding CE credit, please email CME@CHAlliance.org.

Family Therapists

This activity has been certified by NEAFAST on behalf of the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health & Human Services Professions for LMFT Professional Continuing Education. Certification #215371333-A, for 7 contact hours. The States of CT and RI accept NBCC and NASW approval for marriage and family therapy.

Please note: For psychologists, social workers, family therapists and counselors, this course has been approved for a set amount of credits and CHA is not able to issue CE certificates for partial credit. You must be present for all sessions to receive a CE certificate. For any questions regarding CE credit, please email CME@CHAlliance.org.

Union of European Medical Specialists

The American Medical Association (AMA) has an agreement of mutual recognition of continuing medical education (CME) credit with the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS). Additional information regarding this agreement may be found on the Union of European Medical Specialists.

Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC)

The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada recognizes conferences and workshops held outside of Canada that are developed by a university, academy, hospital, specialty society or college as accredited group learning activities.

Disclosure

In accord with the disclosure policy of the Medical School as well as standards set forth by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), course planners, speakers, and content reviewers have been asked to disclose any relationships they have to companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. In addition, faculty have been asked to list any off-label uses of pharmaceuticals and/or devices for investigational or non-FDA approved purposes that they plan to discuss.

Disclaimer Policy

CME activities accredited by Harvard Medical School are offered solely for educational purposes and do not constitute any form of certification of competency. Practitioners should always consult additional sources of information and exercise their best professional judgment before making clinical decisions of any kind.

Note: AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ is calculated based on submission of a preliminary agenda and may be subject to change.

You may register through our secure online environment and will receive an email confirmation upon receipt of your payment. Most recordings will be available for 30 days after the course has ended.

At the end of the registration process, a $10 non-refundable processing fee will be added to your registration.

Course Tuition

Course Registration - Treating the Addictions

Physician (MD/DO) 

$290 / ($260 if registered by December 24, 2026)

All Other Health Professionals

$230 / ($200 if registered by December 24, 2026)

Review the cancellation policy.

Tuition includes electronic syllabus.