2013 UVU Conference on Addiction
Friday, February 22, 2013 – Sorensen Student Center, Utah Valley University
Opening Keynote – Alema Harrington – From Rock Bottom to Rock Solid – (Grande Ballroom – 9am – 9:55 am)
Addicts who enter recovery are looking for HOPE. Alema uses HOPE as an acronym for four of the main principles in a
Rock Solid Recovery. He believes that there is a way to go from rock bottom to rock solid – and it all starts with giving
addicts HOPE. Alema will cover the principles in his HOPE model, and how these principles apply to addiction recovery.
He will demonstrate how people can truly recover from addiction during this lunchtime plenary session.
Morning Concurrent Sessions
10 am
The US Prescription Drug Epidemic – John T. Carnevale, PhD (Centre Stage 10am – 11:50 am)
EXTENDED SESSION (110 minutes)
This session will examine the prescription drug epidemic and its impact on the United States. It reviews the latest
prescription drug use data and trends, as well as current national policy activity designed to alleviate the damaging
consequences of prescription drug abuse. It shows the extent that pain medications are driving the epidemic, and will
review the current public policy options to mitigate prescription drug abuse and its consequences. Dr. Carnevale will
cover the topics of prescription drug monitoring programs, prescription drug take back programs, and training and
education for prescribers.
View from the Bench: Judge James R. Taylor – (SC 206A 10am – 10:50 am)
Join Judge James R. Taylor as he presents a discussion of the legal ramifications of addiction. Using his perspective as a
Utah State 4th District judge, this presentation will examine both the strengths and challenges of dealing with addiction
issues in the judicial system, and the necessary collaboration between judicial and treatment systems.
The Neurobiology of Addiction – David Yells, PhD and Jean Anne Johnson-Talbert, PhD (SC 206B – 10am11:50am) EXTENDED SESSION ( 110 minutes)
Addiction is being increasingly understood as a neurobiological phenomenon involving acute and chronic alterations in
brain structure and physiology. In order to achieve recovery, it may be necessary to directly target the neurobiological
substrates of addiction. Dr. Yells and Dr. Johnson-Talbert will review the current understanding of the addiction process
at the neurobiological levels. They will examine current biological approaches to treatment including maintenance or
substitution therapy, aversion therapy, and immunological approaches.
Pornography: Addiction of the New Century – Martin Roundy, M.Ed (SC206C–10am-11:50am)
EXTENDED SESSION (110 minutes)
Martin will present an overview of the exploding rise in pornography use, abuse and addiction. Participants will explore
the extent of pornography in our lives, and how pornographers entrap potential users. What are the effects of
pornography on individuals and relationships, and how can we protect our families from the dangers and life-altering
impact of pornography addiction?
The Benefits of Equine Psychotherapy, Horsemanship and Utilizing Metaphor – Carissa McNamara, MPA (SC
206G/H – 10am-10:50am)
This session will explore the use and benefit of equine therapy in providing experiential opportunities for those in
treatment to gain/improve in the areas of patience, assertiveness, creative thinking, leadership, self-confidence, trust
and compassion. By participating in activities with horses, clients learn more about themselves and how to process their
feelings, behaviors and patterns. Carissa will help session participants understand how horses can provide vast
opportunities for metaphorical learning and interaction, even when working with the most challenging individuals and
groups.
Stages of Change – Nicole Nelson, LSUDC (SC 213A – 10am-10:50am)
In the world of addiction, we know that in order for real change to take place - the individual addicted to a substance
needs to want to change. Nicole will present the 5 stages of change which allow for the secret of addiction recovery to
be addressed and faced openly, rather than feared.
The Basics of Addiction – Amy Pollard, LCSW (SC 213B 10am-10:50am)
This presentation will focus on the basics of addiction. Why do those suffering with this disease think and behave as
they do? What is the basic biology behind their choices? What are the implications for recovery? Amy will discuss what
research shows regarding long term sobriety, and how to best counsel those experiencing addiction. Participants will
leave with a better basic understand of the disease of addiction and its implications to individual lives.
11 am
Addicts and Millionaires – Mark Patey (SC 206A – 11am-11:50am)
This session will take a new and bold look at the connection between ADD/ADHD and substance abuse. Why is there a
connection? And why can the very things that drive those with ADD/ADHD toward substance abuse, also be the very
things that can drive them toward success. For many, having ADD/ADHD quite literally means becoming an addict or a
millionaire, and sometimes both. The choice should be up to the individual – and it is. Join us in exploring the questions,
and finding the answers as Mark discusses his research into this fascinating topic.
Personal Insights: Individual and Family Recovery Resources – Mark Miner (SC 206 GH 11am-11:50am)
Mark will share his personal journey through addiction recovery and transition to successful businessman, and assistant
program coordinator for the LDS Family Services Addiction Recovery Program. Mark is passionate about recovery and
life, but does not position himself as an expert in all things substance-abuse related. Rather, he will simply share what
has worked for him, and others whom he knows. In his session he will address treatment options for individuals and
families including intervention, outpatient and detox services, inpatient services, individual counseling and communitybased 12-step choices.
Gambling Addiction and Treatment – Denise Quirk, MA, MFT, LCADC, BACC-NCG-II, SPGC-S – (SC213A 11am11:50am)
Gambling addiction in America affects at least 2% of all adults and affects another seven people for each addict.
Treatment advances and research have revealed that this behavioral addiction is treatable and the trauma to families is
treatable as well, with excellent results. Gambling is often called the “hidden addiction,” without the usual tracks left by
other addictions. Find out what the current research, trends and treatment success stories have to offer you in this
presentation.
The Chronic Care Model – Eric Schmidt, Kevin McCauley PhD and Ken Stettler (SC 206B 11am – 11:50 am)
Treatment efficacy for addiction is often limited by the application of an acute care model to what is a lifelong, chronic,
and potentially relapsing disorder requiring daily management. The Chronic Care Model is far better suited to the
effective management of recovery. Sober Living and Transitional Programs naturally augment the Chronic Care Model
because of their extended and whole-person approaches. This lecture will examine Sober Living and Transitional
Programs and their application to a wide range of illnesses. The elements of these types of programs will be thoroughly
discussed by our pattern, including benefits and potential pitfalls.
LUNCHEON (Grande Ballroom 12 noon – 1pm) - John T. Carnevale
Dr. John Carnevale is an internationally recognized expert with over 30 years of experience in the field of
substance abuse policy, performance measurement, and strategic planning. He served 18 years for three
administrations and four “Drug Czars” within the Executive Branch at the Office of Management and Budget
and the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). He will share his insights with us during
this opening plenary session.
Afternoon Concurrent Sessions
1 pm
Drug Testing: Best Practices – Dr. Leo Kadehjian (Centre Stage – 1pm – 2:50 pm)
EXTENDED SESSION (110 minutes)
Join Dr. Kadehjian as he discusses the tools of testing (including instrumental and non-instrumental) and confirmation
methods. Participants will explore the analysis of new drugs such as ETG, Spice and Bath Salts – as well as the
interpretation of test results. What are the challenges involved with drug testing and how can best practices overcome
or make those challenges less significant?
Motivational Enhancement – Gordon Bruin, LPC (SC 206A 1pm – 1:50pm)
The greatest influence one can have on another comes in large part from the language we use and style of
communication. Learn how to become more proficient in the use of timeless communication skills that are necessary to
promote a therapeutic alliance with those who are struggling with addiction issues. When these skills are understood
and used effectively, your influence as a healer will increase. Gordon will show why motivational enhancement theory
works so well with those who struggle with addiction issues. This presentation will also focus on how therapists can
protect themselves from burnout.
Prescription Opioid Addiction Treatment Study (POATS) – James Von Busch (SC 206B 1pm-3:50pm)
WORKSHOP (2 hours and 50 minutes)
Treatment strategies for prescription opioid dependence is a package of tools and training resources for substance use
disorders treatment providers. The NIDA Blending Package describes how buprenorphine works and presents the results
of a National Drug Abuse Clinical Trials Network (CTN) study that compared brief and extended buprenorphine
treatments. The results of the study have implications for the treatment of adults dependent on prescription opioids.
The POATS Blending Team (BT) package is designed to help treatment providers incorporate study findings and
recommendations into their practice.
Enhancing Prevention Capacity with Developmental Assets – Flora M. Sanchez (SC 206C 1pm-2:50pm)
EXTENDED SESSION (110 minutes)
This interactive session introduces Search Institute’s research-based framework of Developmental Assets, a prevention
approach effectively used by communities across the U.S. , and provides opportunities for participants to learn how to
integrate strength-based practices in their homes and work.
Self-Care – Brad Kelstrom, LCSW (SC 206G/H 1pm – 1:50pm)
Join Brad as he provides an overview of what self-care is, and how to overcome the barriers to self-care. Participants will
learn more about setting boundaries with self and others. This session will include a hand-out to assess current self-care
strategies and goals for improvement, as well as a short mindfulness activity tool.
The Power of Self-Belief in Recovery – H. Gray Otis, PhD, CMHC (SC 213A 1pm – 1:50pm)
The beliefs each person has about self are central to his or her personal identity. These self-beliefs act as the means for
the individual to understand and categorize their experiences. Persons with drug, alcohol or other addictive patterns of
behavior struggle with destructive negative self-beliefs. Emotional self-regulations, processing of trauma and chronic
distress experience and the formation of positive beliefs are essential to dealing with the underlying cause of addictions.
This workshop explains how beliefs are established, how they create patterns of behavior and how they can be
converted to constructive self-beliefs.
Implementing Multi-systemic Treatment for Substance Abusing and Disruptive Behavior Disordered Adolescents
– Jason King, LPC and Russell Gaede, PsD (SC 213B 1pm-3:50pm) WORKSHOP – 2 hours and 50 minutes
There is a critical need for counselors and other human service professionals to formulate a viable approach to the
treatment of adolescents who are involved with the juvenile justice system. A case is beginning to be made in the
literature indicating that counseling interventions with juvenile delinquents would need to be multi-systemic involving
families and other social systems with which the juvenile interacts. This workshop is for parents, school professionals,
juvenile court professionals, and the full spectrum of mental health therapists who interact with adolescents struggling
with substance abuse addiction and who become court involved and incarceration bound. Discussed will be evidencebased treatment principles and concepts for a community-based addiction intervention targeting youth.
2 pm
Hedonic Dysregulation, Anhedonia and Fun Presentation Proposal – Zach Scott (SC206A 2pm-2:50pm)
Pleasure is a natural thing for humans to seek. It is essential to survival. Chemical use cheats the time process necessary
to experience real pleasure and robs the individual on a biological and psychological level. This induces a dysphoric and
anhedonic emotional state through a process of hedonic dysregulation. Join Zach as he investigates how this leads many
to continue in the cycle of addiction and why many addicts get to a point where they no longer use to get high – but to
feel ‘normal’.
Attachment Theory in Understanding the Pathology of Addiction – E. Guerry Green, LCSW, MSW (SC 213A 2pm –
2:50pm)
This session will explore attachment theory and its role in addiction recovery. Guerry will lead participants through
understanding the relationship of attachment theory in the pathology of addiction.
3 pm
Ethics in Substance Abuse Counseling – Richard Nance, MSHHA, MSW, LCSW (Centre Stage 3pm-3:50 pm)
Most professionals in the field of drug and alcohol prevention and treatment are aware of their professional codes of
ethics, but most never really look at it once they are licensed. Most issues are only assessed as either ethical or unethical
with little thought to how complex and difficult the issue is, and who may be harmed. Ethical dilemmas are complex and
involve the interests of the client, the community, the professional, the treatment program and the field. This
presentation will delve into the National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADC) Code of Ethics, and
analyze a number of real world ethical dilemmas faced by conference participants using a structured analytical problem
solving tool developed by William White and Renee Popovits. Participants are encouraged to bring a typed half-page
description of a critical incident (de-identified) to share for analysis.
The 411 on 2-1-1 – Seanna Williams, MSW, C-SWCM, LCSW (SC 206C 3pm-3:50pm)
Community resources: How to access them, and who to send. Mental Health and Substance Abuse clients come with a
myriad of issues, problems and needs. Most of these have little to do with why they actually walked in your door, and
everything to do with successful outcomes. We will address Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and how every clinician should
be the best case manager they can in order to better serve their populations. This concurrent session will be interactive,
personal and have real life scenarios to learn from and participate in. The purpose is to inform clinicians and case
managers and other community folks that there is a Macro, Mezzo and Micro level of treatment for their clients.