Raise Their Brain: The Science of Preventing High-Risk Behavior

Beck will be addressing education, understanding, and empathy as it relates to the transgender community. The trans community has higher rates of addiction, suicidality, and mental health issues than the general population. With use of experience and personal narrative, Beck’s hope is to diffuse any myths or falsehoods that society has created for this population. If we truly embrace, humanize, and create compassion, we will be better able to serve our clients and give hope in recovery.

Many treatment providers feel like they’re treating a “moving target” and want assistance in how to be more effective. As more and more residential centers, intensive outpatient treatment and sober living facilities pop up all over the country, the lack of a universal treatment platform and outcome measures leave great debate about what works and what doesn’t. Why does substance abuse treatment have such a high recidivism rate? What’s wrong with treatment? How the opioid epidemic developed and what’s the future with a cannabis and designer drugs.

Clinical diagnoses and negative social expectations can hinder a client’s treatment progress by leading them to fall short of their true potential for recovery. Yet nearly every manifestation of a disorder is unique with its own symptoms, strengths and weaknesses. Clinicians do their best at identifying conditions, causes and remedies, but the reality is that addiction treatment as a profession is an ongoing state of refinement, and labels are approximations at best. Our discussion will incorporate and expand on different cognitive biases such as Expectancy Effect and Stereotype Threat that exacerbate the feelings of shame in the recovery setting. We will discuss how to differentiate and identify the shameful labels used within the field and how they stop individuals from seeking help. In addition, we will talk about helping clients rise above the shame of negative labels.

Chronic Pain occurs as a complicated web of emotions and physical symptoms. The most common way to treat pain is to use opioid medications, which actually complicate the course of chronic pain and is responsible for countless complications and overdose deaths. During this show, we will review the statistics of the opioid epidemic to understand how we got here and where we are going. This session will also explore the interactions of pain, suffering and addiction with suggestions for intervention and treatment.

ORCHESTRATING CHANGE is the documentary film that tells the inspiring story of Me2/Orchestra, the only classical music organization in the world for people with mental illnesses and those who support them. Led by a once world-renowned conductor whose own career was shattered by his diagnosis of bipolar disorder, the Me2/Orchestra’s exhilarating performances challenge societal stereotypes about mental illness. Playing with Me2/ is transforming the lives of the musicians who face stigma and discrimination on a daily basis. They breakdown stereotypes, reconnect with society, foster acceptance, friendships and most important, realize their own abilities. The film’s final performance at a major concert hall will be an emotional triumph not just for the musicians but for the audience as well. To learn more and watch the presentation tape of ORCHESTRATING CHANGE please visit: www.orchestratingchangethefilm.com ORCHESTRATING CHANGE has the Endorsement of NAMI/Vermont.

Smoking is the number one cause of death in people with mental illness and tobacco use contributes to more deaths than the primary behavioral health condition. Helping people quit tobacco is the risk-factor intervention that will have the greatest impact on the health and wellness of individuals with behavioral health conditions. In this Podcast we will discuss some of the barriers that prevent behavioral health organizations from fully embracing tobacco cessation treatment and the importance of incorporating cessation interventions along with other behavioral health services. Ms. Aubrey will share evidence-based strategies that encourage individuals to make a tobacco quit attempt and increase the likelihood of success with quitting. She will describe her experiences working with behavioral health organizations and Peer Recovery Specialists to expand access to tobacco cessation treatment.

Our guests will review traditional treatment methods verses evidenced based practices and challenge current treatment myths and misconceptions of participants who struggle with co-occurring disorders. Jim and Gordon will explore the barriers that participants and providers face when 12 step support meetings are a recommendation and how to overcome them. They will review in detail the steps necessary through evidenced based practices to introduce, orientate and integrate participants who struggle with Co-Occurring disorders into the 12 step community using specific strategies that WestBridge has developed over the past 15 years.

Steven Herndon serves as president and co-founder of Safety Net Recovery, a structured sober living community for men. Steve's commitment to sobriety and helping others is unrivaled except for his long-time partner, Taylor Hagin. Together in 2009, they formed Safety Net Recovery where they and a team of professional counselors provide support, structure and guidance to each client, giving them the best opportunity to learn and practice the spiritual principles of recovery. Steve is licensed as a Level II Certified Addiction Counselor (CACII) and Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS). A talented public speaker, Steve shares his personal journey to recovery to motivate others to achieve their best.

Dr. Carnes will be discussing the state of the field of sex and pornography addiction treatment, including diagnostic controversies, and the newest neuroscience research. She will address the importance of de-stigmatizing sex addiction and addressing the impact of sex and pornography addiction on individuals and families.

Recovery Unplugged is an addiction rehabilitation program with facilities in Ft. Lauderdale, FL and Austin, TX. Its key modality is to immerse its clients in a musical experience that helps therapists find pathways to the soul, and serves as a catalyst for long-lasting recovery.