Attend this conference on substance use disorders to hear the latest research and find guidance that enhances your care for patients.
Substance use disorders remain among the most complex and consequential conditions encountered in healthcare, affecting patients, families, and communities across every setting of care. Clinicians are challenged not only by evolving evidence and guidelines but also by high rates of comorbidity, social determinants of health, and rapidly changing treatment landscapes. This conference is designed to help practitioners stay current, confident, and clinically effective.
The program provides a comprehensive, evidence-based update across the full spectrum of substance use disorders, spanning neuroscience, developmental and lifespan perspectives, pharmacologic and behavioral treatments, and recovery-oriented systems of care. Sessions are intentionally structured to translate current research into practical, actionable strategies that can be applied across diverse clinical settings.
The conference emphasizes an interactive and collegial learning environment, with dedicated time for discussion, audience questions, and case-based exploration of complex clinical scenarios. Attendees have the opportunity to engage directly in dialogue around challenging cases, evolving best practices, and real-world implementation—fostering meaningful exchange across disciplines and practice settings.
Whether you practice in primary care, psychiatry, psychology, social work, nursing, emergency medicine, or integrated care settings, this conference offers a practice-relevant update to strengthen your approach to screening, diagnosis, and treatment of substance use disorders and common co-occurring conditions.
MDs/Doctoral-Level Professionals
Super Early Bird Registration (before August 31, 2026): $975.00
Early Bird Registration (before November 30, 2026) $1,035.00
Regular Registration (after December 1, 2026): $1,139.00
Other Professionals or Trainees
Super Early Bird Registration (before August 31, 2026): $875.00
Early Bird Registration (before November 30, 2026): $931.00
Regular Registration (after December 1, 2026): $1,035.00
Price: $85.00
The conference syllabus is a printed book with all slide presentations and space to take notes adjacent to each slide. Please note that all syllabus purchases are non-refundable and non-shippable and must be picked up onsite at the conference.
As an alternative to purchasing a conference syllabus, we provide all attendees with completely free access to all slide presentations in digital PDF format prior to the conference. This is an environmentally friendly alternative and helps keep costs lower for all attendees. The e-syllabus will be available for 30 days after the conference.
A refund minus a $100.00 administrative fee will be issued for refund requests received by January 2, 2027. Payments made may not be applied to future conferences or other educational activities. There are no exceptions to these policies.
Board certification and recertification exams are critical career moments. That is why you should rely on the Massachusetts General Hospital Psychiatry Update & Board Preparation, Fourth Edition. It puts our 80+ years of clinical experience at your fingertips to help you prepare for your exam.
Purchase a print copy of our Board Preparation book here!
This program is intended for:
Our conference lets you engage dozens of renowned clinician-researchers, get your clinical questions answered, and translate enhanced knowledge into optimal patient care.
Here are some of the ways that participants plan to change their clinical practice as a result of attending our conference:
In support of improving patient care, MGH Institute of Health Professions is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Psychologists
Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs. MGH Institute of Health Professions designates this activity for 15.25 CE credits.
Physicians
MGH Institute of Health Professions designates this live activity for a maximum of 15.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits ™. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in this activity.
Nursing
MGH Institute of Health Professions designates this activity for 15.25 contact hours for nurses. The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) accepts credit from organizations accredited by the ACCME and ANCC.
Social Workers
As a Jointly Accredited Organization, the MGH Institute of Health Professions is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. MGH Institute of Health Professions maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive 15.25 clock hours for continuing education credits.
IPCE Credit
This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive 15.25 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credits for learning and change.
Substance Use Disorders: A Comprehensive Review and Update
February 15-17, 2027
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2027
8:00 – 8:05 AM Welcome & Introduction
Timothy E. Wilens, MD
MODULE TOPIC 1: NEUROSCIENCE
8:05 – 8:25 AM Neurobiology of Addiction & Genetics of Substance Use Disorders
Robert R. Althoff, MD, PhD
MODULE TOPIC 2: ADOLESCENT SUBSTANCE USE
8:25– 8:45 AM Adolescent Substance Use Disorders
Robert R. Althoff, MD, PhD
8:45 – 9:05 AM ADHD
Timothy E. Wilens, MD
9:05 – 9:25 AM Athletes and Substance Use Disorders
Timothy E. Wilens, MD
9:25 – 9:55 AM Panel Discussion
Moderator: Timothy E. Wilens, MD
Panelists: Robert R. Althoff, MD, PhD
9:55 – 10:10 AM Break
MODULE TOPIC 3: SYNTHETICS & BENZODIAZEPINES
10:10 – 10:30 AM Psychedelics
Timothy E. Wilens, MD
10:30 – 10:50 AM Benzodiazepines & Addiction
Timothy E. Wilens, MD
10:50 – 11:20 AM Panel Discussion
Moderator: Robert R. Althoff, MD, PhD
Panelists: Timothy E. Wilens, MD
11:20 – 12:20 PM Lunch Break
MODULE TOPIC 4: OPIOIDS
12:20 – 12:50 PM Buprenorphine 101
Jessica Gray, MD
12:50 – 1:20 PM Long-Acting Injectable Buprenorphine
Laura G. Kehoe, MD, MPH, FASAM
1:20 – 1:40 PM Naltrexone Intramuscular
Laura G. Kehoe, MD, MPH, FASAM
1:40 – 2:10 PM Methadone
Laura G. Kehoe, MD, MPH, FASAM
2:10 – 2:25 PM Break
2:25 – 2:55 PM Panel Discussion
Moderator: Timothy E. Wilens, MD
Panelists: Jessica Gray, MD; Laura G. Kehoe, MD, MPH, FASAM
MODULE TOPIC 5: PAIN, WOMEN & ADDICTION
2:55 – 3:25 PM Pain
Jessica Gray, MD
3:25 – 3:45 PM Pregnancy
Jessica Gray, MD
3:45 – 4:05 PM Women & Addiction
Jessica Gray, MD
4:05 – 4:35 PM Panel Discussion
Moderator: Laura G. Kehoe, MD, MPH, FASAM
Panelists: Jessica Gray, MD
4:35 PM Adjourn
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2027
8:00 – 8:05 AM Welcome & Introduction
Laura G. Kehoe, MD, MPH, FASAM
MODULE TOPIC 6: CANNABIS
8:05 – 8:25 AM Cannabis I
Timothy E. Wilens, MD
8:25 – 8:45 AM Cannabis II
Robert R. Althoff, MD, PhD
8:45 – 9:15 AM Panel Discussion
Moderator: Laura G. Kehoe, MD, MPH, FASAM
Panelists: Timothy E. Wilens, MD; Robert R. Althoff, MD, PhD
9:15 – 9:30 AM Break
MODULE TOPIC 7: TREATMENT IN CONTINUING CARE
9:30 – 9:50 AM Motivational Interviewing
James McKowen, MD
9:50 – 10:10 AM CBT
James McKowen, MD
10:10 – 10:30 AM DBT & Other Therapies
James McKowen, MD
10:30 – 10:50 AM Digital & Gambling Addictions
James McKowen, MD
10:50 – 11:20 AM Panel Discussion
Moderator: Robert R. Althoff, MD, PhD
Panelists: James McKowen, MD
11:20 – 12:20 PM Lunch Break
MODULE TOPIC 8: COMORBIDITY I – SUBSTANCE USE, TRAUMA, AND SEX TRAFFICKING
12:20 – 12:40 PM Trauma
Abigail Judge, PhD
12:40 – 1:00 PM Sex Trafficking
Abigail Judge, PhD
1:00 – 1:30 PM Panel Discussion
Moderator: James McKowen, MD
Panelists: Abigail Judge, PhD
MODULE TOPIC 9: NICOTINE & STIMULANTS
1:30 – 1:50 PM Cocaine & Methamphetamine
Megan Hudson, MSN, PMHNP-BC
1:50 – 2:10 PM Nicotine
Megan Hudson, MSN, PMHNP-BC
2:10 – 2:30 PM GLPs
Megan Hudson, MSN, PMHNP-BC
2:30 – 3:00 PM Panel Discussion
Moderator: Abigail Judge, PhD
Panelists: Megan Hudson, MSN, PMHNP-BC
3:00 PM Adjourn
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2027
8:00 – 8:05 AM Welcome & Introduction
Vinod Rao, MD, PhD
MODULE TOPIC 10: RECOVERY SUPPORT SERVICES
8:05 – 8:25 AM Addressing and Overcoming Stigma & Discrimination in Clinical Settings
David Eddie, PhD
8:25 – 8:45 AM Peer Support and Residential Communities
David Eddie, PhD
8:45 – 9:05 AM Efficacy of Self-Help Treatments
David Eddie, PhD
9:05 – 9:25 AM Amplifying and Extending the Effects of Clinical Care
David Eddie, PhD
9:25 – 9:55 AM Panel Discussion
Moderator: Vinod Rao, MD, PhD
Panelist: David Eddie, PhD
9:55 – 10:10 AM Break
MODULE TOPIC 11: ALCOHOL & COMORBIDITY
10:10 – 10:30 AM Alcohol: Assessment and Maintenance Medications
Vinod Rao, MD, PhD
10:30 – 10:50 AM Inpatient & Outpatient Medically Managed Withdrawal
Vinod Rao, MD, PhD
10:50 – 11:10 AM Anxiety & Mood
Vinod Rao, MD, PhD
11:10 – 11:30 AM Neurotherapeutics
Vinod Rao, MD, PhD
11:30 – 12:00 PM Panel Discussion
Moderator: David Eddie, PhD
Panelist: Vinod Rao, MD, PhD
12:00 PM Adjourn
Policy on Faculty and Provider Disclosure:
Disclosure Information
In accordance with the disclosure policy of MGH Institute of Health Professions as well as guidelines set forth by the Accreditation Council on Continuing Medical Education, all people in control of educational content, including speakers, course directors, planners, and reviewers, have been asked to disclose all financial relationships with ineligible companies for the past 24 months, as defined below:
Ineligible Companies
The ACCME defines an “Ineligible company” as “those whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.” For more information, visit accme.org/standards.
Financial Relationships
Financial relationships are those relationships in which the individual benefits by receiving a salary, royalty, intellectual property rights, consulting fee, honoraria, ownership interest (e.g., stocks, stock options, or other ownership interest, excluding diversified mutual funds), or other financial benefit. Financial benefits are usually associated with roles such as employment, management position, independent contractor (including contracted research), consulting, speaking and teaching, membership on advisory committees or review panels, board membership, and other activities from which remuneration is received, or expected.
Mitigation of Financial Relationships
All financial relationships are reviewed to determine which ones are relevant, and then measures are taken to mitigate all relevant financial relationships and ensure that they do not insert commercial bias into the content of the education.
Laura G. Kehoe, MD, MPH, FASAM
Medical Director, Substance Use Disorder Bridge Clinic
Massachusetts General Hospital
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
John F. Kelly, PhD, ABPP
Elizabeth R. Spallin, Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Director, MGH Recovery Research Institute
Program Director, MGH Addiction Recovery Management Service (ARMS)
Associate Director, MGH Center for Addiction Medicine
David H. Rubin, MD
Director, Division of Professional and Public Education, MGH
Executive Director, MGH Psychiatry Academy and MGH Visiting, MGH
Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School
Timothy E. Wilens, MD
Chief, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry,
(Co) Director, Center for Addiction Medicine,
Massachusetts General Hospital
Professor of Psychiatry,
Harvard Medical School
President-Elect, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Robert R. Althoff, MD, PhD
Professor of Psychiatry, Pediatrics, & Psychological Science
Chair, Department of Psychiatry
Director, Child Emotion Regulation Laboratory
Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont
David Eddie, PhD, ABPP
Associate Director of Clinical Translational Recovery Science
Massachusetts General Hospital
Jessica Gray, MD
Medical Director | MGH HOPE Clinic
Associate Fellowship Director | MGH Addiction Medicine Fellowship
Megan Hudson, MSN, PMHNP-BC
Clinical Nurse Educator
Abigail M. Judge, PhD
Co-Founder, Boston HEAT (Human Exploitation and Sex Trafficking)
Massachusetts General Hospital
Instructor, Harvard Medical School
Laura G. Kehoe, MD, MPH, FASAM
Medical Director, Substance Use Disorder Bridge Clinic
Massachusetts General Hospital
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
James McKowen, MD, PhD
Licensed Psychologist
Assistant Professor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School & Massachusetts General Hospital
Clinical Director, Addiction Recovery Management Service (ARMS)
Co-Chair, Psychiatry Climate and Mental Health Initiative (CMHI)
Associate, MGH Center for Environment and Health
Vinod Rao, MD, PhD
Addiction Psychiatrist and Medical Director - West End Clinic
Massachusetts General Hospital
Timothy E. Wilens, MD
Chief, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry,
(Co) Director, Center for Addiction Medicine,
Massachusetts General Hospital
Professor of Psychiatry,
Harvard Medical School
President-Elect, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of McLean Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital. McLean Hospital is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
McLean Hospital designates this live activity for a maximum of 15.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 13, sections 13, 14, 14A, 15 and 15D and Chapter 112, sections 74 through 81C authorize the Board of Registration in Nursing to regulate nursing practice and education.
This program meets the requirements of the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing (244 CMR 5.00) for 15.25 contact hours of nursing continuing education credit.
Advance practice nurses, please note: Educational activities which meet the requirements of the ACCME (such as this activity) count towards 50% of the nursing requirement for ANCC accreditation.
The Collaborative of NASW, Boston College, and Simmons College Schools of Social Work authorizes social work continuing education credits for courses, workshops, and educational programs that meet the criteria outlined in 258 CMR of the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Social Workers
This program has been approved for 15.25 Social Work Continuing Education hours for relicensure, in accordance with 258 CMR.
This course allows other providers to claim a Participation Certificate upon successful completion of this course.
Participation Certificates will specify the title, location, type of activity, date of activity, and number of AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ associated with the activity. Providers should check with their regulatory agencies to determine ways in which AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ may or may not fulfill continuing education requirements. Providers should also consider saving copies of brochures, agenda, and other supporting documents.The Massachusetts General Hospital Department of Psychiatry is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.
The Massachusetts General Hospital Department of Psychiatry maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This offering meets the criteria for 15.25 Continuing Education (CE) credits per presentation for psychologists.
We have a dedicated staff member who is available by phone 5 days per week between 8 am and 5 pm by calling 866-644-7792 or email at mghcme@mgh.harvard.edu. All inquiries will be dealt with in a timely (within one business day) and professional manner. Requests for credits or refunds will be reviewed by the Director of the Division of Professional and Public Education, Massachusetts General Hospital. Please refer to our cancellation policy for additional information.”