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Description

This training is a guide for addiction care teams caring for people who use stimulants,  including cocaine and methamphetamines. The training will review the basic science of addiction related to stimulants. The session includes discussion on the practical implementation of evidence-based treatment for patients who use stimulants, with a concentration on outpatient treatment settings.

Intended audience

Physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, social workers, recovery coaches, and all other healthcare professionals treating addiction are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Speakers

Justin Alves, MSN, FNP-BC, ACRN, CARN, CNE (he/him)

Justin is a clinical nurse educator with Boston Medical Center’s Grayken Center for Addiction Training and Technical Assistance, where he contributes to peer-reviewed publications, evidence-based clinical guidelines, development and delivery of continuing education programs, and other resources for providers supporting patients with substance use disorders. Justin is also a nurse practitioner at Boston Medical Center and the nursing director of two housing first programs operated by the Justice Resource Institute, Inc. He has expertise in infectious diseases and their co-occurrence with substance use disorders, community outreach, and harm reduction. Justin’s work in HIV/AIDS includes being president of the Boston Chapter of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, consulting for the New England AIDS Education Training Center, and other positions. He currently sits on the stimulant work group for the Opioid Response Network (ORN), the advisory board of the New England Addiction Technology Transfer Center, and the item writing committee for the Addictions Nursing Certification Board (ANCB). Justin received his Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Northeastern University in 2013, his Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth in 2020, and his Post-Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner certificate from the University of Massachusetts-Boston in 2023. He also holds certification as a Certified Addiction Registered Nurse (CARN) through the Addictions Nursing Certification Board (ANCB), certification as an AIDS Certified Registered Nurse (ACRN) through the HIV/AIDS Nursing Certification Board (HANCB), and is a certified nurse educator (CNE) through the National League of Nursing.

Vanessa Loukas, MSN, FNP-C, CARN-AP (she/her)

Vanessa is a clinical nurse educator for Boston Medical Center’s Grayken Center for Addiction Training and Technical Assistance, an assistant professor of medicine at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, and a nurse practitioner at Boston Medical Center. She has expertise in managing substance use disorders, co-occurring psychiatric conditions, and infectious diseases in primary care settings. Her clinical interests include harm reduction, low-barrier treatment, medical addiction groups, and improving care for persons involved in the criminal-legal system. Through her primary role on the Grayken TTA team, Vanessa contributes to peer-reviewed publications, evidence-based clinical guidelines, development and delivery of continuing education programs, and other resources for providers supporting patients with substance use disorders. Prior to joining the Grayken TTA team, Vanessa practiced as a nurse practitioner and was the program director for the addiction treatment program at the South End Community Health Center, caring for high-risk patients with substance use disorders and psychiatric diagnoses. Her work integrated harm reduction, on-demand treatment, infectious disease treatment, and medical addiction groups including within the male/female re-entry/recovery units at the Suffolk County House of Corrections. Vanessa received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from Simmons University and is a Certified Addiction Registered Nurse – Advanced Practice (CARN-AP) through the Addictions Nursing Certification Board (ANCB).

Objectives

• Identify the role of psychostimulants in the overdose epidemic and recognize population disparities.
• Describe the impact of stigma associated with stimulant use disorder (StUD).
• Recognize two risk factors for developing StUD and understand the neurobiological changes associated with stimulant use.
• Describe overamping and management of acute stimulant intoxication.
• Identify health risks associated with stimulant use and apply harm reduction interventions.
• Understand interventions to treat acute stimulant intoxication and long term treatment including de-escalation and behavioral interventions.
• Understand the essentials of integrating stimulant treatment into outpatient addiction treatment.

Sponsored by

Boston Medical Center Grayken Center for Addiction Training and Technical Assistance, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (DPH/BSAS), Opioid Response Network (ORN)

Funding for this initiative was made possible (in part) by grant no. 1H79TI085588-02 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

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