ASAM’s Women and Addiction: Screening, Treatment, and Whole Person Care pre-conference course will equip healthcare providers with the necessary tools to make a meaningful difference in the lives of women facing addiction. This interactive course will explore the complexities associated with women’s health and addiction, instilling participants with the knowledge and skills needed to provide compassionate, effective, and equitable care to women with substance use disorders. Participants will discuss gender-specific issues, stigma, and unique challenges faced by women in relation to addiction. Participants will consider pharmacotherapy and treatment options appropriate during pregnancy and postpartum, and they will consider holistic care for women across the lifespan. This course will empower participants to support women in making informed decisions about their care and through their journey toward recovery.
Dr. Brian Hurley, ASAM's President, and Dr. Katrina Mark, Chair of ASAM's Women & Addiction Education Committee, will welcome participants and provide a brief course overview, setting the stage for the content to be presented within the course.
Learning Objectives:
Learners will be able to:
Examine gender-specific issues and stigma associated substance use disorder to promote informed decisions and support women with addiction.
Apply motivational interviewing techniques specific to women’s needs to evaluate and enhance their readiness to change.
Provide holistic care to women with substance use disorder across the lifespan, considering specific needs of women during adolescence, young adulthood, and adults in later life.
Recommend pharmacotherapy options for opioid, alcohol, and tobacco use disorders that are appropriate during pregnancy, and postpartum.
Provide compassionate care to women with substance use disorder that includes family planning, promotes trauma informed care, addresses mental health concerns, and encourages self-advocacy.
