Conference Sponsored by:
West Virginia University Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry
Course Description
The 37th Annual West Virginia Carl “Rolly” Sullivan Addiction Training Institute (ATI) features current developments within the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual areas of substance use disorder (SUD) behavior and treatment. Topics for 2026 include:
- Alcohol Use Disorder
- Religion, Spirituality, and Addiction
- Gambling Disorder
- GLP 1s Substance Use Disorder (SUD)
- Motivational Interviewing
- Ethics
- Community Resources & Supports
- Patient Engagement
- Impact of toxic exposures in-utero and childhood maltreatment
- Food Addiction
- Nutrition and SUD
- Clinical Tools
- Family Treatment for SUD
- Veterans
This course is designed for new and experienced professionals who seek a thorough review of both the established fundamentals of addiction treatment and current approaches to working with the behavioral addictions and the substance use disorder population. The training is valuable for those working or planning to work in the areas of mental health, addictions counseling, courts and corrections, school counseling, nursing, psychology, and social work.
Course Objectives
The goals of the ATI are to 1) assist professionals in examining the increasing issues related to addiction in the state; 2) provide an up-to-date look at treatment strategies; and 3) disseminate effective therapeutic techniques in working with individuals, family, and community members affected by addiction.
Following this course, participants should be able to:
- Describe factors that contribute to developing gambling and gaming addiction
- Discuss the role of religion and spirituality in addiction recovery
- Describe the conceptualization of food addiction, including distinctions between addiction to food vs ultra-processed foods and the rationale for applying an addiction framework
- Recognize and summarize common ethical dilemmas in addiction contexts
- Identify associated neurobiological underpinnings of cognitive and behavioral characteristics among children with a history of in-utero exposure
- Apply basic knowledge of standard drink sizes and blood alcohol level to clinical practice
- Discuss topics of enhanced importance in veterans, including traumatic brain injury (TBI), veteran suicide, veteran homelessness, and HIV
- Discuss evidence based nutritional approaches to prevention and treatment of psychiatric concerns
- Evaluate the growing evidence base surrounding the use of GLP-1 medications for the treatment of substance use disorders
- Utilize therapeutic communication and engagement strategies that support individuals with substance use disorders
- Explain the Family System Theory
- Identify and apply evidence-based substance use disorder and mental health resources to enhance patient care within participants’ clinical practice settings
- Explain the basics and benefits of Motivational Interviewing
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Continuing Education
All sessions for the ATI Course are offered for continuing education. We anticipate that participants who attend all course work from June 15 through June 16, 2026 are eligible to receive 13.5 CEUs. CEUs have been requested from the West Virginia Board of Social Work Examiners/Provider #490038, the West Virginia Board of Examiners of Psychology, West Virginia Certification Board for Addiction and Prevention Professionals and the West Virginia Board of Examiners in Counseling #535. Didactics offered include 3 hours of Ethics specific and 2 hours of veterans specific training.
CME
The WVU School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
CME approval is pending for 2026. In 2025, the WVU Office of CME designated this live activity for a maximum of 14.5 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Nursing Education
The WVU School of Nursing is an approved provider of continuing education by the State of West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses, Legislative Rule #19CSR11-4 under provider number 50-26086. Continuing education credits are pending.
Grant
This conference is supported by a Physician Education Grant provided by the WV Department of Health & Human Resources and administered by the WV Medical Professionals Health Program; Grant # G260771.
Disclosure
It is the policy of the WVU School of Medicine Office of CME to ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all its educational activities. All faculty/authors/planners participating in our activities are expected to disclose any relationships they may have with commercial companies. These relationships, along with the educational content of this program, will be reviewed and any potential conflicts of interest will be resolved to the satisfaction of the WVU School of Medicine Office of CME prior to the activity. If a conflict cannot be resolved, the person involved will be removed from control of content or the content will not be presented as part of the educational program.
Planning Committee
WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY, Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry
James H. Berry, DO • Laura R. Lander, LICSW • Katie Chiasson-Downs, LPC, ALPS • Ashley Six-Workman, BSN, RN, PMH-BC • Melanie McMillen, LPC • Jennifer Zannier • Lisa Terris, PhD
Non-Discrimination Policy
West Virginia University does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, religion, or disability in the administration of any of its educational programs, activities, or with respect to admission and employment. Inquiries may be directed to the Executive Officer for Social Justice, 105 Stewart Hall, Office of the President, 304-293-4150.