Demystifying Addiction: An Intensive Workshop Series to Enhance Your Practice

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), of the 21.7 million people who experienced symptoms of a substance use disorder in the past year, only about 10% received any kind of formal help, including peer support groups. The current system is failing to meet critical needs. At first look, this is a staggering statistic. However, when you consider that the vast majority of people with substance use issues fall on the mild-to-moderate end of the severity spectrum, many can be served in a variety of settings. In this training, we propose that therapists are well-suited to assist in closing this gap by offering an attractive, affordable and effective alternative to traditional rehab, by helping people address their problem before it gets so severe that they need urgent help. Many therapists do not feel that they have the training or expertise to begin working with substance use issues, so this training will provide a framework for doing so confidently and safely. This training series will provide clinicians with evidence-based theories, skills and attitudes that have been shown to help people reduce or eliminate their substance use disorder symptoms.

This three day interactive, skill-building workshop series is intended for therapists and allied health practitioners treating an array of mental health conditions who want to increase their knowledge and develop skills to support those with problems related to their use of substances. Those with pre-existing training in treating substance use disorders will also benefit from refreshing their knowledge and gaining new skills amongst this diverse learning community.

After completing this workshop series, participants will be able to:

  • Understand the origins of addiction treatment and its evolution in the US and abroad and gain insight into the limitations of traditional models while developing a vision for the future of addiction care.
  • Learn how to develop an assessment of problematic substance use incorporating a bio-psycho-social framework into your MH assessment and identify strategies for developing an effective treatment plan.
  • Identify core techniques and skills for motivational assessment/enhancement and recovery skills training while understanding the importance of adopting goals that are not specific to substance use.
  • Learn important concepts and problems that commonly co-occur with SUD and how to address them.
  • Develop an understanding of scientifically-informed approaches to helping families and loved ones.
  • Become aware of common medications for addiction treatment.

After completing this workshop series, participants will be able to:

  • Understand the origins of addiction treatment and its evolution in the US and abroad and gain insight into the limitations of traditional models while developing a vision for the future of addiction care.
  • Learn how to develop an assessment of problematic substance use incorporating a bio-psycho-social framework into your MH assessment and identify strategies for developing an effective treatment plan.
  • Identify core techniques and skills for motivational assessment/enhancement and recovery skills training while understanding the importance of adopting goals that are not specific to substance use.
  • Learn important concepts and problems that commonly co-occur with SUD and how to address them.
  • Develop an understanding of scientifically-informed approaches to helping families and loved ones.
  • Become aware of common medications for addiction treatment.

Continuing Education Hour Pre-Approvals

Participants in this workshop series are eligible to receive up to 18 CE Hours approved by the Minnesota Board of Social Work. For participants needing clinical clock hours (CCH), this workshop meets the requirements, as defined by the Board of Social Work:

  • Differential diagnoses and biopsychosocial assessment, including normative development and psychopathology: 4 CCH
  • Clinical intervention methods informed by research and current standards of practice: 10 CCH
  • Social work values and ethics, including cultural context, diversity, and social policy: 2 CCH

Center for Practice Transformation – University of Minnesota has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7404. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Center for Practice Transformation – University of Minnesota is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

About the Presenters

Ian McLoone, MPS, LPCC, LADC

Ian McLoone is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor who has been working with people who have a problematic relationship with substances for his entire career. Currently, Ian is a Co-Founder and the Director of Clinical Services at Expanse MN, a new mental health clinic located in Spring Lake Park, Minnesota. Prior to that, he worked closely with Mark Willenbring, MD to develop the Alltyr Model of Care at Alltyr Clinic. In 2021, he was honored by his colleagues when he was named Counselor of the Year by the Minnesota Association for Resources in Recovery and Chemical Health (MARRCH). In addition to his clinical work, Ian has taught courses at the University of Minnesota since 2015, including Applied Psychopharmacology and Person-centered practices/Harm Reduction for clinical counselors. He regularly gives talks on topics like harm reduction, medications for addiction treatment, psychedelic-assisted therapies, and working with families, loved ones and concerned others.

David Romanowsky, MPS, LADC

David Romanowsky is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor who has considerable experience working with people struggling with problematic substance use and other mental health conditions in both individual and group settings. For the past 6 years, he has offered therapeutic services for Latino clients in the US and Mexico and conducted multiple workshops and conferences for families and schools around the topic of addiction. In the same span, he has taught the harm reduction psychotherapy course at the Hebrew University in Mexico City.

Pricing and Registration

Use discount code DAW50 for $50.00 off

Registration closes June 11, 2024.